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TO
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THL ROAD TO OZ
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CALLING ON JACK PUMPKINHEAD
See Chapter 16
I'HE Road to Oz
BY
L. FRANK BAUM
AUTHOR OF THE LAND OF OZ. OZMA OF OZ. DOROTHY
AND THE WIZARD IN OZ. ETC.
ILLUSTRATED BY
JOHN R. NEILL
the Reilly & Lee Co.
Chicago
i'uteaao tempo
To T\x Y\KST G
RAND60N
3o%njt^n!on53^uwo
i-\n^4i€Z<^
im,
O MY READERS: Well, my dears, here is
what you have asked for: another "Oz Book*'
about Dorothy's strange adventures. Toto is
in this story, because you wanted him to be
there, and many other characters which you will recognize are
in the story, too. Indeed, the wishes of my little correspon-
dents have been considered as carefully as possible, and if the
story is not exactly as you would have written it yourselves,
you must remember that a story has to be a story before it can
be written down, and the writer cannot change it much with-
out spoiling it.
In the preface to "Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz" I said
I would like to write some stories that were not "Oz" stories,
because I thought I had written about Oz long enough; but
since that volume was published I have been fairly deluged
with letters from children imploring me to "write more about
Dorothy," and "more about Oz," and since I write only to
please the children I shall try to respect their wishes.
There are some new characters in this book that ought to
win your love. I'm very fond of the shaggy man myself, and
I think you will like him, too. As for Polychrome — the
n
^^
Rainbow's Daughter — and stupid little Button-Bright, they
seem to have brought a new element of fun into these Oz
stories, and I am glad I discovered them. Yet I am anxious
to have you write and tell me how you like them.
Since this book was written I have received some very
remarkable news from The Land of Oz, which has greatly as-
tonished me. I believe it will astonish you, too, my dears,
when you hear it. But it is such a long and exciting story
that it must be saved for another book — and perhaps that
book will be the last story that will ever be told about the
Land of Oz.
L Frank Baum.
Coronadot /pop.
LIST OF CHAPTERS
CHAPTER
1 The Way to BuTTERnELD
2 Dorothy Meets Button-Bright
3 A Queer Village . c . »
4 King Dox .,»,...
5 The Rainbow's Daughter
6 The City of Beasts - , . .
7 The Shaggy Man's Transformation
8 The Musicker ...<..
Facing the Scoodlers . . . -
Escaping the Soup-Kettle ,
Johnny Doit Does It . . .
The Deadly Desert Crossed
The Truth Pond > , . . .
TiK-ToK and Billina . . . .
The Emperor's Tin Castle .
Visiting the Pumpkin Field
The Royal Chariot Arrives
The Emerald City . .- . . -
The Shaggy Man's Welcome
Princess Ozma of Oz , . ,
Dorothy Receives the Guests
Important Arrivals . . , .
The Grand Banquet r , . .
The Birthday Celebration
9
lO
1 1
11
H
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
VKCn
^
^€
mmM nmnm
"PLEASE, miss," said the shaggy man, "can you tell me the
road to Butterfield?'
Dorothy looked him over. Yes, he was shaggy, all right;
but there was a twinkle in his eye that seemed pleasant.
"Oh, yes," she replied; "I can tell you. But it is n't this
road at all."
"No?"
"You cross the ten-acre lot, follow the lane to the high-
way, go north to the five branches, and take — let me see — "
"To be sure, miss; see as far as Butterfield, if you like,"
said the shaggy man.
13
T !i e Roa<f to O2.
"You take the branch next the willow stump, I b'lieve; or
else the branch by the gopher holes; or else "
"Won't any of 'em do, miss'?"
" 'Course not. Shaggy Man. You must take the right
road to get to Butterfield."
"And is that the one by the gopher stump, or "
"Dear me I" cried Dorothy; "I shall have to show you the
way; you 're so stupid. Wait a minute till I run in the house
and get my sunbonnet."
The shaggy man waited. He had an oat-straw in his
mouth, which he chewed slowly as if it tasted good; but it
did n't. There was an apple-tree beside the house, and some
apples had fallen to the ground. The shaggy man thought
they would taste better than the oat-straw, so he walked over
to get some. A little black dog with bright brown eyes
dashed out of the farm-house and ran madly toward the
shaggy man, who had already picked up three apples and put
them in one of the big wide pockets of his shaggy coat. > The
little dog barked, and made a dive for the shaggy man's leg;
but he grabbed the dog by the neck and put it in his big
pocket along with the apples. He took more apples, after-
ward, for many were on the ground; and each one that he
tossed into his pocket hit the little dog somewhere upon the
head or back, and made him growl. The little dog's nam.e
was Toto, and he was sorry he had been put in the shaggy
man's pocket.
The Way to Butterfield
Pretty soon Dorothy came out of the house with her sun-
bonnet, and she called out :
"Come on, Shaggy Man, if you want me to show you the
road to Butterfield." She climbed the fence into the ten-
acre lot and he followed her, walking slowly and stumbling
over the little hillocks in the pasture as if he was thinking of
something else and did not notice them.
"My, but you 're clumsy!" said the little girl. "Are your
feet tired"?"
"No, miss; it's my whiskers; they tire very easily this
warm weather," said he. "I wish it would snow; don't you*?"
" 'Course not, Shaggy Man," replied Dorothy, giving him
a severe look. "If it snowed in August it would spoil the
15
The Road to Oz
corn and the oats and the wheat; and then Uncle Henry
would n't have any crops; and that would make him poor;
and "
"Never mind," said the shaggy man. "It won't snow, I
guess. Is this the lane^"
"Yes," replied Dorothy, climbing another fence; "I'll
go as far as the highway with you."
"Thankee, miss; you 're very kind for your size, I 'm
sure," said he gratefully.
"It is n't everyone who knows the road to Butterfield,"
Dorothy remarked as she tripped along the lane; "but I 've
driven there many a time with Uncle Henry, and so I b'lieve
I could find it blindfolded."
"Don't do that, miss," said the shaggy man, earnestly;
"you might make a mistake,"
"I won't," she answered, laughing. "Here 's the high-
way. Now, it 's the second — no, the third turn to the left
— or else it 's the fourth. Let 's see. The first one is by
the elm tree; and the second is by the gopher holes; and
then "
"Then what?" he inquired, putting his hands in his coat
pockets. Toto grabbed a finger and bit it; the shaggy man
took his hand out of that pocket quickly, and said "Oh!"
Dorothy did not notice. She was shading her eyes from
the sun with her arm, looking anxiously down the road.
16
The Way to Butterfield
"Come on," she commanded. "It 's only a little way far-
ther, so I may as well show you."
After a while they came to the place where five roads
branched in different directions; Dorothy pointed to one, and
said:
"That 's it. Shaggy Man."
*T 'm much obliged, miss," he said, and started along an-
other road.
"Not that one!" she cried; "you 're going wrong."
He stopped.
"I thought you said that other was the road to Butter-
field," said he, running his fingers through his shaggy whis-
kers in a puzzled way.
kio It IS.
"But I don't want to go to Butterfield, miss."
"You don't?'
"Of course not. I wanted you to show me the road, so I
should n't go there by mistake."
"Oh! Where do you want to go to, then?'
"I 'm not particular, miss."
This answer astonished the little girl; and it made her
provoked, too, to think she had taken all this trouble for noth-
ing.
"There are a good many roads here," observed the shaggy
man, turning slowly around, like a human windmill.
17
The Road to Oz
* 'Seems to me a person could go 'most anywhere, from this
place."
Dorothy turned around too, and gazed in surprise. There
were a good many roads ; more than she had ever seen before.
She tried to count them, knowing there ought to be five ; but
when she had counted seventeen she grew bewildered and
stopped, for the roads were as many as the spokes of a wheel
and ran in every direction from the place where they stood;
so if she kept on counting she was likely to count some of the
roads twice.
**Dear me I" she exclaimed. "There used to be only five
roads, highway and all. And now — why, where 's the high-
way. Shaggy Man?'/
"Can't say, miss," he responded, sitting down upon the
ground as if tired with standing. "Was n't it here a minute
ago?"
"I thought so," she answered, greatly perplexed. "And
I saw the gopher holes, too, and the dead stump; but they 're
not here now. These roads are all strange — and what a lot
of them there are! Where do you suppose they all go to?"
"Roads," observed the shaggy man, "don't go anywhere.
They stay in one place, so folks can walk on them."
He put his hand in his side-pocket and drew out an apple
— quick, before Toto could bite him again. The little dog
18
The Way to Butterfield
got his head out this time and said "Bow-wow I" so loudly
that it made Dorothy jump.
"O Totol" she cried; "where did you come from^"
"I brought him along," said the shaggjy man.
"What for?" she asked.
"To guard these apples in my pocket, miss, so no one
would steal them."
With one hand the shaggy man held the apple, which he
began eating, while with the other hand he pulled Toto out
of his pocket and dropped him to the ground. Of course Toto
made for Dorothy at once, barking joyfully at his release
from the dark pocket. When the child had patted his head
lovingly, he sat down before her, his red tongue hanging out
one side of his mouth, and looked up into her face with his
bright brown eyes, as if asking her what they should do next.
Dorothy did n't know. She looked around her anxious-
ly for some familiar landmark; but everything was strange.
Between the branches of the many roads were green meadows
and a few shrubs and trees, but she could n't see anywhere the
farm-house from which she had just come, or anything she
had ever seen before — except the shaggy man and Toto.
Besides this, she had turned around and around so many
times, trying to find out where she was, that now she could
n't even tell which direction the farm-house ought to be in;
and this began to worry her and make her feel anxious.
19
The Road to Oz
"I *m 'fraid, Shaggy Man," she said, with a sigh, "that
we 're lost!"
"That 's nothing to be afraid of," he replied, throwing
away the core of his apple and beginning to eat another one.
"Each of these roads must lead somewhere, or it would n't be
here. So what does it matter?"
"I want to go home again," she said.
"Well, why don't you?" said he.
"I don't know which road to take."
"That is too bad," he said, shaking his shaggy head
gravely. "I wish I could help you; but I can't. I 'ma stranger
in these parts."
"Seems as if I were, too," she said, sitting down beside
him. "It 's funny. A few minutes ago I was home, and I just
came to show you the way to Butterfield "
"So I should n't make a mistake and go there "
"And now I 'm lost myself and don't now how to get
home!"
"Have an apple," suggested the shaggy man, handing
her one with pretty red cheeks.
"I 'm not hungry," said Dorothy, pushing it away,
"But you may be, to-morrow; then you '11 be sorry you
did n't eat the apple," said he.
"If I am, I '11 eat the apple then," promised Dorothy.
"Perhaps there won't be any apple then," he returned, be-
20
The Way to Butterfieid
ginning to eat the red-cheeked one himself. "Dogs some-
times can find their way home better than people," he went
on; 'perhaps your dog can lead you back to the farm."
"Will you, Toto?' asked Dorothy.
Toto wagged his tail vigorously.
"All right," said the girl; "let 's go home."
Toto looked around a minute, and dashed up one of the
roads.
"Good-bye, Shaggy Man," called Doroth5% and ran after
Toto. The little dog pranced briskly along for some dis-
tance; when he turned around and looked at his mistress
questioningly.
"Oh, don't 'spect me to tell you anything; I don't know
the way," she said. "You '11 have to find it yourself."
But Toto could n't. He wagged his tail, and sneezed,
and shook his ears, and trotted back where they had left the
shaggy man. From here he started along another road; then
came back and tried another ; but each time he found the
way strange and decided it would not take them to the farm
house. Finally, when Dorothy had begun to tire with chas-
ing after him, Toto sat down panting beside the shaggy man
and gave up.
Dorothy sat down, too, very thoughtful. The little girl
had encountered some queer adventures since she came to live
at the farm; but this was the queerest of them all. To get
21
The Road to Oz
lost in fifteen minutes, so near to her home and in the unro-
mantic State of Kansas, was an experience that fairly bewild-
KTcd her.
"Will your folks worry?" asked the shaggy man, his eyes
twinkling in a pleasant way.
"I s'pose so," answered Dorothy, with a sigh. "Uncle
Henry says there 's always something happening to me; but
I 've always come home safe at the last. So perhaps he '11 take
comfort and think I '11 come home safe this time."
*I 'm sure you will," said the shaggy man, smilingly nod-
ding at her. "Good little girls never come to any harm, you
know. For my part, I 'm good, too; so nothing ever hurts
me.
Dorothy looked at him curiously. His clothes were
shaggy, his boots were shaggy and full of holes, and his hair
and whiskers were shaggy. But his smile was sweet and his
eyes were kind.
"Why did n't you want to go to Butterfield?" she asked.
"Because a man lives there who owes me fifteen cents,
and if I went to Butterfield and he saw me he 'd want to pay
me the money. I don't want money, my dear."
"Why not?" she inquired.
"Money," declared the shaggy man, "makes people proud
and haughty; I don't want to be proud and haughty. All J
22
*THIS. MY DEAR. IS THE WONDERFUL LOVE MAGNET--
n
The Road to Oz
want is to have people love me ; and as long as I own the Love
Magnet everyone I meet is sure to love me dearly."
"The Love Magnet ! Why, what 's that?"
"I '11 show you, if you won't tell anyone," he answered, in
a low, mysterious voice.
"There is n't any one to tell, 'cept Toto," said the girl.
The shaggy man searched in one pocket, carefully; and
in another pocket; and in a third. At last he drew out a
small parcel wrapped in crumpled paper and tied with a cot-
ton string. He unwound the string, opened the parcel, and
took out a bit of metal shaped like a horseshoe. It was dull
and brown, and not very pretty.
"This, my dear," said he, impressively, "is the wonderful
Love Magnet. It was given me by an Eskimo in the Sand-
wich Islands — where there are no sandwiches at all — and
as long as I carry it every living thing I meet will love me
dearly."
"Why did n't the Eskimo keep it?" she asked, looking at
the Magnet with interest.
"He got tired being loved and longed for some one to
hate him. So he gave me the Magnet and the very next day
a grizzly bear ate him."
"Was n't he sorry then?" she inquired.
"He did n't say," replied the shaggy man, wrapping and
tying the Love Magnet with great care and putting it away
24
The Way to Butterfield
in another pocket. "But the bear did n't seem sorry a bit,"
he added.
"Did you know the bear*?" asked Dorothy.
"Yes; we used to play ball together in the Caviar Is-
lands. The bear loved me because I had the Love Magnet.
I could n't blame him for eating the Eskimo, because it was
his nature to do so."
"Once," said Dorothy, "I knew a Hungry Tiger who
longed to eat fat babies, because it was his nature to ; but he
never ate any because he had a Conscience."
"This bear," replied the shaggy man, with a sigh, "had
no Conscience, you see.'*
2^
The Road to Oz
The shaggy man sat silent for several minutes, apparent-
ly considering the cases of the bear and the tiger, while Toto
watched him with an air of great interest. The little dog was
doubtless thinking of his ride in the shaggy man's pocket and
planning to keep out of reach in the future.
At last the shaggy man turned and inquired, "What 's
your name, little girl?"
"My name 's Dorothy," said she, jumping up again, "but
what are we going to do'? We can't stay here forever, you
know."
"Let 's take the seventh road," he suggested. "Seven is
a lucky number for little girls named Dorothy."
"The seventh from where T'
"From where you begin to count."
So she counted seven roads, and the seventh looked just
like all the others; but the shaggy man got up from the
ground where he had been sitting and started down this road
as 'if sure it was the best way to go; and Dorothy and Toto
followed him.
36
.JU
THE seventh road was a good road, and curved this way and
that — winding through green meadows and fields covered
with daisies and buttercups and past groups of shady trees.
There were no houses of any sort to be seen, and for some dis-
tance they met with no living^ creature at all.
Dorothy began to fear they were getting a good way from
the farm-house, since here everything was strange to her ; but
it would do no good at all to go back where the other roads
all met, because the next one they chose might lead her just
as far from home.
She kept on beside the shaggy man, who whistled cheer=
'^7
The Road to Oz
ful tunes to beguile the journey, until by-and-by they fol-
lowed a turn in the road and saw before them a big chestnut
tree making a shady spot over the highway. In the
shade sat a little boy dressed in sailor clothes, who was dig-
ging a hole in the earth with a bit of wood. He must have
been digging some time, because the hole was already big
enough to drop a foot-ball into.
Dorothy and Toto and the shaggy man came to a halt be-
fore the little boy, who kept on digging in a sober and persis-
tent fashion.
"Who are you?" asked the girl.
He looked up at her calmly. His face was round and
chubby and his eyes were big, blue, and earnest.
"I 'm Button-Bright," said he.
**But what 's you real name?" she inquired.
"Button-Bright."
"That is n't a really-truly name I" she exclaimed.
"Is n't it?" he asked, still digging.
"'Course not. It 's just a — a thing to call you by. You
must have a name."
"Must I?"
"To be sure. What does your mamma call you?*'
He paused in his digging and tried to think.
"Papa always said I was bright as a button; so mamma
always called me Button-Bright," he said.
28
Dorothy Meets Button-Bright
"What is your papa's name?"
"Just Papa."
"What else?"
"Don't know."
"Never mind," said the shaggy man, smiling. "We '11
call the boy Button-Bright, as his mamma does. That name
is as good as any, and better than some."
Dorothy watched the boy dig.
"Where do you live?" she asked.
"Don't know," was the reply.
"How did you come here?"
"Don't know," he said again.
"Don't you know where you came from?"
"No," said he.
"Why, he must be lost," she said to the shaggy man. She
turned to the boy once more.
"What are you going to do?" she inquired.
"Dig," said he.
"But you can't dig forever; and what are you going to do
then?" she persisted,
"Don't know," said the boy.
"But you must know something^' declared Dorothy, get-
ting provoked.
"Must I?" he asked, looking up in surprise.
"Of course you must."
29
fhe Road to Oz
"What must I know?"
"What 's going to become of you, for one thing," she an-
swered.
"Do you know what 's going to become of me'?" he asked.
"Not — not 'zactly," she admitted.
"Do you know what 's going to become of you?'' he con-
tinued, earnestly.
"I can't say I do," replied Dorothy, remembering her pres-
ent difficulties.
The shaggy man laughed.
"No one knows everything, Dorothy," he said.
"But Button-Bright does n't seem to know <3;^2jthing," she
declared. "Do you, Button-Bright*?"
30
Dorothy Meets Button-Bright
He shook his head, which had pretty curls all over it, and
replied with perfect calmness:
"Don't know."
Never before had Dorothy met with any one who could
give her so little information. The boy was evidently lost,
and his people would be sure to worry about him. He seemed
two or three years younger than Dorothy, and was prettily
dressed, as if some one loved him dearly and took much pains
to make him look well. How, then, did he come to be in this
lonely road? she wondered.
Near Button-Bright, on the ground, lay a sailor hat with
a gilt anchor on the band. His sailor trousers were long and
wide at the bottom, and the broad collar of his blouse had
gold anchors sewed on its corners. The boy was still digging
at his hole.
"Have you ever been to sea?" asked Dorothy.
"To see what*?" answered Button-Bright.
"I mean have you ever been where there 's water?"
"Yes," said Button-Bright; "there 's a well in our back
yard."
"You don't understand," cried Dorothy. "I mean, have
you ever been on a big ship floating on a big ocean?"
"Don't know," said he.
"Then why do you wear sailor clothes?"
"Don't know," he answered, again.
31
The Road to Oz
Dorothy was in despair.
"You 're just awful stupid, Button-Bright," she said.
"Am IT he asked.
"Yes, you are."
"Why?" looking up at her with big eyes.
She was going to say: "Don't know," but stopped her-
self in time.
"That 's for you to answer," she replied.
"It 's no use asking Button-Bright questions," said the
shaggy man, who had been eating another apple; "but some
one ought to take care of the poor little chap, don't you think?
So he 'd better come along with us."
Toto had been looking with great curiosity into the hole
which the boy was digging, and growing more and more ex-
cited every minute, perhaps thinking that Button-Bright was
after some wild animal. The little dog began barking loudly
and jumped into the hole himself, where he began to dig with
his tiny paws, making the earth fly in all directions. It spat-
tered over the boy. Dorothy seized him and raised him to
his feet, brushing his clothes with her hand.
"Stop that, Toto I" she called. "There are n't any mice
or woodchucks in that hole, so don't be foolish."
Toto stopped, sniffed at the hole suspiciously, and jumped
out of it, wagging his tail as if he had done something import-
ant.
32
Dorothy Meets Button-Bright
"Well," said the shaggy man, "let 's start on, or we won 't
§;et anywhere before night comes."
"Where do you expect to get to*?" asked Dorothy.
"I 'm like Button-Bright; I don't know.*' answered the
shaggy man, with a laugh. "But I *ve lean.ed from long
experience that every road leads somewhere, or there would
n't be any road; so it 's likely that if we travel long enough,
my dear, we will come to some place or another in the end.
What place it will be we can't even guess at this moment,
but we 're sure to find out when we get there."
"Why, yes," said Dorothy; "that seems reas'n'ble, Shaggy
Man."
33
BUTTON-BRIGHT took the shac;gy man's hand willingly;
for the shaggy man had the Love Magnet, you know, which
was the reason Button-Bright had loved him at once. They
started on, with Dorothy on one side, and Toto on the other,
the little part;, trudging along more cheerfully than you
might have supposed. The girl was getting used to queer ad-
ventures, which interested her very much. Wherever Doro-
thy went Toto was sure to go, like Mary's little lamb. But-
ton-Bright did n't seem a bit afraid or worried because he
was lost, and the shaggy man had no home, perhaps, and was
as happy in one place as in another.
34
A Queer Village
Before long they saw ahead of them a fine big arch span-
ning the road, and when they came nearer they found that the
arch was beautifully carved and decorated with rich colors.
A row of peacocks with spread tails ran along the top of it,
and all the feathers were gorgeously painted. In the center
was a large fox's head, and the fox wore a shrewd and know-
ing expression and had large spectacles over its eyes and a
small golden crown with shiny points on top of its head.
While the travellers were looking with curiosity at this
beautiful arch there suddenly marched out of it a company
of soldiers — only the soldiers were all foxes dressed in uni-
forms. They wore green jackets and yellow pantaloons, and
their little round caps and their high boots were a bright red
color. Also there was a big red bow tied about the middle
of each long, bushy tail. Each soldier was armed with a
wooden sword having an edge of sharp teeth set in a row, and
the sight of these teeth at first caused Dorothy to shudder.
A captain marched in front of the company of fox-sol-
diers, his uniform embroidered with gold braid to make it
handsomer than the others.
Almost before our friends realized it the soldiers had sur-
rounded them on all sides, and the captain was calling out in
a harsh voice:
"Surrender! You are our prisoners."
''What 's a pris 'ner?' asked Button-Bright.
35
The Road to Oz
"A prisoner is a captive," replied the fox-captain, strut-
ting up and down with much dignity.
"What 's a captive?' asked Button-Bright.
"You 're one," said the captain.
That made the shaggy man laugh.
"Good afternoon, captain," he said, bowing politely to
all the foxes and very low to their commander. "I trust you
are in good health, and that your families are all well*?"
The fox-captain looked at the shaggy man, and his sharp
features grew pleasant and smiling.
"We 're pretty well, thank you, Shaggy Man," said he;
and Dorothy knew that the Love Magnet was working and
that all the foxes now loved the shaggy man because of it.
But Toto did n't know this, for he began barking angrily and
tried to bite the captain's hairy leg where it showed between
his red boots and his yellow pantaloons.
"Stop, Toto!" cried the little girl, seizing the dog in her
arms. "These are our friends."
"Why, so we are!" remarked the captain in tones of as-
tonishment. "I thought at first we were enemies, but it seems
you are friends, instead. You must come with me to see King
Dox."
"Who 's he?" asked Button-Bright, with earnest eyes.
"King Dox of Foxville; the great and wise sovereign who
Tules over our community."
36
I
A Queer Village
"What 's sov'rin, and what 's c'u'nity ?" inquired Button-
Bright.
"Don't ask so many questions, little boy."
"Why?"
"Ah, why, indeed?" exclaimed the captain, looking at
Button-Bright admiringly. "If you don't ask questions you
will learn nothing. True enough. I was wrong. You 're a
very clever little boy, come to think of it — very clever in-
deed. But now. friends, please come with me, for it is my
duty to escort you at once to the royal palace."
The soldiers marched back through the arch again, and
with them marched the shaggy man, Dorothy, Toto, and But-
ton-Bright. Once through the opening they found a fine, big
37
The Road to Oz
city spread out before them, all the houses of carved marble
in beautiful colors. The decorations were mostly birds and
other fowl, such as peacocks, pheasants, turkeys, prairie-
chickens, ducks, and geese. Over each doorway was carved a
head representing the fox who lived in that house, this eifect
being quite pretty and unusual.
As our friends marched along, some of the foxes came out
on the porches and balconies to get a view of the strangers.
These foxes were all handsomely dressed, the girl-foxes and
women-foxes wearing gowns of feathers woven together ef-
fectively and colored in bright hues which Dorothy thought
were quite artistic and decidedly attractive.
Button-Bright stared until his eyes were big and round,
and he would have stumbled and fallen more than once had
not the shaggy man grasped his hand tightly. They were all
interested, and Toto was so excited he wanted to bark every
minute and to chase and fight every fox he caught sight of;
but Dorothy held his little wiggling body fast in her arms and
commanded him to be good and behave himself. So he finally
quieted down, like a wise doggy, deciding there were too
many foxes in Foxville to fight at one time.
By-and-bye they came to a big square, and in the center
of the square stood the royal palace. Dorothy knew it at once
because it had over its great door the carved head of a fox
38
A Queer Village
just like the one she had seen on the arch, and this fox was the
only one who wore a golden crown.
There were many fox-soldiers guarding the door, but they
bowed to the captain and admitted him without question.
The captain led them through many rooms, where richly
dressed foxes were sitting on beautiful chairs or sipping tea,
which was being passed around by fox-servants in white
aprons. They came to a big doorway covered with heavy cur-
tains of cloth of gold.
Beside this doorway stood a huge drum. The fox-captain
went to this drum and knocked his knees against it — first
one knee and then the other — so that the drum said; "Boom-
boom."
"You must all do exactly what I do," ordered the captain ;
so the shaggy man pounded the drum with his knees, and so
did Dorothy and so did Button-Bright. The boy wanted to
keep on pounding it with his little fat knees, because he liked
the sound of it; but the captain stopped him. Toto could n't
pound the drum with his knees and he did n't know enough to
wag his tail against it, so Dorothy pounded the drum for him
and that made him bark, and when the little dog barked the
fox-captain scowled.
The golden curtains drew back far enough to make an
opening, through which marched the captain with the others.
The broad, long room they entered was decorated in gold
39
The Road to Oz
with stained-glass windows of splendid colors. In the center
of the room, upon a richly carved golden throne, sat the fox-
king, surrounded by a group of other foxes, all of whom wore
great spectacles over their eyes, making them look solemn and
important.
Dorothy knew the King at once, because she had seen his
head carved on the arch and over the doorway of the palace.
Having met with several other kings in her travels she knew
what to do, and at once made a low bow before the throne.
The shaggy man bowed, too, and Button-Bright bobbed his
head and said "Hello."
"Most wise and noble Potentate of Foxville," said the
40
A Queer Village
captain, addressing the King in a pompous voice, "I humbly
beg to report that I found these strangers on the road leading
to your Foxy Majesty's dominions, and have therefore
brought them before you, as is my duty."
"So — so," said the King, looking at them keenly. "What
brought you here, strangers?"
"Our legs, may it please your Royal Hairiness," replied
the shaggy man.
"What is your business here*?" was the next question.
"To get away as soon as possible," said the shaggy man.
The King did n't know about the Magnet, of course ; but
it made him love the shaggy man at once.
"Do just as you please about going away," he said; *T3ut
I 'd like to show you the sights of my city and to entertain
your party while you are here. We feel highly honored to
have little Dorothy with us, I assure you, and we appreciate
her kindness in making us a visit. For whatever country Dor-
othy visits is sure to become famous."
This speech greatly surprised the little girl, who asked:
"How did your Majesty know my name?'
"Why, everybody knows you, my dear," said the Fox-
King. "Don't you realize that? You are quite an important
personage since Princess Ozma of Oz made you her friend."
"Do you know Ozma?" she asked, wondering.
"I regret to say that I do not," he answered, sadly; ^Tjut I
41
The Road to Oz
hope to meet her soon. You know the Princess Ozma is to
celebrate her birthday on the twenty-first of this month."
*ls she?" said Dorothy. "I did n't know that."
"Yes; it is to be the most brilliant royal ceremony ever
held in any city in Fairyland, and I hope you will try to get
me an invitation."
Dorothy thought a moment.
"I 'm sure Ozma would invite you if I asked her," she
said: "but how could you get to the Land of Oz and the Emer-
ald City? It 's a good way from Kansas."
"Kansas!" he exclaimed, surprised.
"Why, yes; we are in Kansas now, are n't we?" she re-
turned.
A Queer Village
"What a queer notion!" cried the Fox-King, beginning to
laugh. ''Whatever made you think this is Kansas?"
"I left Uncle Henry's farm only about two hours ago;
that 's the reason," she said, rather perplexed.
"But, tell me, my dear, did you ever see so wonderful a
city as Foxville in Kansas'?" he questioned.
"No, your Majesty."
"And have n't you traveled from Oz to Kansas in less than
half a jiffy, by means of the Silver Shoes and the Magic
Belt?'
"Yes, your Majesty," she acknowledged.
"Then why do you wonder that an hour or two could
bring you to Foxville, which is nearer to Oz than it is to
Kansas?"
"Dear me !" exclaimed Dorothy; "is this another fairy ad-
venture?"
"It seems to be," said the Fox-King, smiling.
Dorothy turned to the shaggy man, and her face was
grave and reproachful.
"Are you a magician? or a fairy in disguise?" she asked.
"Did you enchant me when you asked the way to Butter-
field?"
The shaggy man shook his head.
"Who ever heard of a shaggy fairy?" he replied. "No,
Dorothy, my dear; I 'm not to blame for this journey in any
43
The Road to Oz
way, I assure you. There 's been something strange about me
ever since I owned the Love Magnet; but I don't know what
it is any more than you do. I did n't try to get you away from
home, at all. If you want to find your way back to the farm
I '11 go with you willingly, and do my best to help you."
"Never mind," said the little girl, thoughtfully. "There
is n't so much to see in Kansas as there is here, and I guess
Aunt Em won 't be very much worried; that is, if I don 't stay
away too long."
"That 's right," declared the Fox-King, nodding ap-
proval. "Be contented with your lot, whatever it happens
to be, if you are wise. Which reminds me that you have a
'O ""' ■^v^
ni6 ROYAL rOXINESS
44
A Queer Village
new companion on this adventure — he looks very clever and
bnght."
"He is," said Dorothy; and the shaggy man added:
"That 's his name, your Royal Foxiness — Button
Bright."
4$
I
IT was amusing to note the expression on the face of King
Dox as he looked the boy over, from his sailor hat to his
stubby shoes; and it was equally diverting to watch Button-
Bright stare at the King in return. No fox ever beheld a
fresher, fairer child's face, and no child had ever before heard
a fox talk, or met with one who dressed so handsomely and
ruled so big a city. I am sorry to say that no one had ever told
the little boy much about fairies of any kind; this being the
case, it is easy to understand how much this strange experi-
ence startled and astonished him.
"How do you like us^" asked the King.
King Do
"Don't know," said Button-Bright.
"Of course you don't. It 's too short an acquaintance."
returned his Majesty. "What do you suppose my name
is?"
"Don't know," said Button-Bright.
"How should you'? Well, I '11 tell you. My private
name is Dox, but a King can't be called by his private name;
he has to take one that is official. Therefore my official name
is King Renard the Fourth. Ren-ard with the accent on the
'Ren'."
"What's 'ren' T asked Button-Bright.
"How clever I " exclaimed the King, turning a pleased
face toward his counselors. "This boy is indeed remarkably
bright. *What 's *ren' *? he asks; and of course 'ren' is nothing
at all, all by itself. Yes; he 's very bright indeed."
"That question is what your Majesty might call foxy,"
said one of the counselors, an old grey fox.
"So it is," declared the King. Turning again to Button-
Bright, he asked :
"Having told you my name, what would you call me?"
"King Dox," said the boy.
"Why?"
" 'Cause *ren' 's nothing at all," was the reply.
"Good! Very good indeed! You certainly have a bril-
liant mind. Do you know why two and two make four?"
47
The Road to Oz
"No," said Button-Bright.
"Clever! clever indeed. Of course you don't know. No-
body knows why; we only know it 's so, and can't tell why it 's
so. Button-Bright, those curls and blue eyes do not go well
with so much wisdom. They make you look too youthful, and
hide your real cleverness. Therefore, I will do you a great
favor. I will confer upon you the head of a fox, so that you
may hereafter look as bright as you really are."
As he spoke the King waved his paw toward the boy, and
at once the pretty curls and fresh round face and big blue eyes
were gone, while in their place a fox's head appeared upon
Button-Bright's shoulders — a hairy head with a sharp nose,
pointed ears, and keen little eyes.
48
King D o X
"Oh, don't do that I" cried Dorothy, shrinking back from
her transformed companion with a shocked and dismayed
face.
"Too late, my dear; it's done. But you also shall have a
fox's head if you can prove you 're as clever as Button-
Bright."
"I don't want it; it's dreadful!" she exclaimed; and,
hearing this verdict, Button-Bright began to boo-hoo just as
if he were still a little boy.
"How can you call that lovely head dreadful *?" asked the
King. "It 's a much prettier face than he had before, to my
notion, and my wife says I 'm a good judge of beauty. Don't
cry, little fox-boy. Laugh and be proud, because you are
so highly favored. How do you like the new head, Button-
Bright?'
"D-d-don't n-n-n-know!" sobbed the child.
"Please, please change him back again, your Majesty!"
begged Dorothy.
King Renard IV shook his head.
"I can't do that," he said; "I have n't the power, even if
I wanted to. No, Button-Bright must wear his fox head, and
he '11 be sure to love it dearly as soon as he gets used to it."
Both the shaggy man and Dorothy looked grave and anx-
ious, for they were sorrowful that such a misfortune had
overtaken their little companion. Toto barked at the fox-boy
49
The Road to Oz
once or twice, not realizing it was his former friend who now
wore the animal head ; but Dorothy cuffed the dog and made
him stop. As for the foxes, they all seemed to think Button-
Bright' s new head very becoming and that their King had
conferred a great honor on this little stranger.
It was funny to see the boy reach up to feel of his sharp
nose and wide mouth, and wail afresh with grief. He wagged
his ears in a comical manner and tears were in his little black
eyes. But Dorothy could n't laugh at her friend just yet, be-
cause she felt so sorry.
Just then three little fox-princesses, daughters of the
King, entered the room, and when they saw Button-Bright
one exclaimed: "How lovely he is I" and the next one cried in
delight: "How sweet he is!" and the third princess clapped
her hands with pleasure and said, "How beautiful he is!"
Button-Bright stopped crying and asked timidly:
"Am ir
"In all the world there is not another face so pretty," de-
clared the biggest fox-princess.
"You must live with us always, and be our brother," said
the next.
"We shall all love you dearly," the third said.
This praise did much to comfort the boy, and he looked
around and tried to smile. It was a pitiful attempt, because
50
King D o X
the fox face was new and stiff, and Dorothy thought his ex-
pression more stupid than before the transformation.
"I think we ought to be going now," said the shaggy man,
uneasily, for he did n't know what the King might take into
his head to do next.
"Don't leave us yet, I beg of you," pleaded King Re-
nard. "I intend to have several days of feasting and merry-
making, in honor of your visit."
''Have it after we 're gone, for we can't wait," said Doro-
thy, decidedly. But seeing this displeased the King, she
added : "If I 'm going to get Ozma to invite you to her party
I '11 have to find her as soon as poss'ble, you know."
In spite of all the beauty of Foxville and the gorgeous
dresses of its inhabitants, both the girl and the shaggy man
felt they were not quite safe there, and would be glad to see
the last of it.
*'But it is now evening," the King reminded them, "and
you must stay with us until morning, anyhow. Therefore I
invite you to be my guests at dinner, and to attend the theater
afterward and sit in the royal box. To-morrow morning, if
you really insist upon it, you may resume your journey."
They consented to this, and some of the fox-servants led
them to a suite of lovely rooms in the big palace.
Button-Bright was afraid to be left alone, so Dorothy
took him into her own room. While a maid-fox dressed the
51
The Road to Oz
little girl's hair — which was a bit tangled — and put some
bright, fresh ribbons in it, another maid-fox combed the hair
on poor Button-Bright's face and head and brushed it care-
fully, tying a pink bow to each of his pointed ears. The
maids wanted to dress the children in fine costumes of woven
feathers, such as all the foxes wore ; but neither of them con-
sented to that.
"A sailor suit and a fox head do not go well together,''
said one of the maids; "for no fox was ever a sailor that I can
remember."
"I 'm not a fox!" cried Button-Bright.
"Alas, no," agreed the maid. "But you 've got a lovely
52
King Do
fox head on your skinny shoulders, and that 's almost as good
as being a fox."
The boy, reminded of his misfortune, began to cry again.
Dorothy petted and comforted him and promised to find some
way to restore him his own head.
"If we can manage to get to Ozma," she said, "the Prin-
cess will change you back to yourself in half a second; so you
just wear that fox head as comf't'bly as you can, dear, and
don't worry about it at all. It is n't nearly as pretty as your
own head, no matter what the foxes say; but you can get along
with it for a little while longer, can't you?"
"Don't know," said Button-Bright, doubtfully; but he
did n't cry any more after that.
Dorothy let the maids pin ribbons to her shoulders, after
which they were ready for the King's dinner. When they met
the shaggy man in the splendid drawing-room of the palace
they found him just the same as before. He had refused to
give up his shaggy clothes for new ones, because if he did
that he would no longer be the shaggy man, he said, and he
might have to get acquainted with himself all over again.
He told Dorothy he had brushed his shaggy hair and
whiskers; but she thought he must have brushed them the
wrong way, for they were quite as shaggy as before.
As for the company of foxes assembled to dine with the
strangers, they were most beautifully costumed, and their
53
The Road to Oz
rich dresses made Dorothy's simple gown and Button-Bright*s
sailor suit and the shaggy man's shaggy clothes look common-
place. But they treated their guests with great respect and
the King's dinner was a very good dinner indeed.
Foxes, as you know, are fond of chicken and other fowl ;
so they served chicken soup and roasted turkey and stewed
duck and fried grouse and broiled quail and goose pie, and as
the cooking was excellent the King's guests enjoyed the meal
and ate heartily of the various dishes.
The party went to the theater, where they saw a play
acted by foxes dressed in costumes of brilliantly colored feath-
ers. The play was about a fox-girl who was stolen by some
wicked wolves and carried to their cave; and just as they were
about to kill her and eat her a company of fox-soldiers
marched up, saved the girl, and put all the wicked wolves to
death.
**How do you like it?" the King asked Dorothy.
"Pretty well," she answered. "It reminds me of one of
Mr. Aesop's fables."
"Don't mention Aesop to me, I beg of )^ouI" exclaimed
King Dox. "I hate that man's name. He wrote a good deal
about foxes, but always made them out cruel and wicked,
whereas we are gentle and kind, as you may see."
" But his fables showed you to be wise and clever, and
54
King D o X
more shrewd than other animals," said the shaggy man,
thoughtfully.
"So we are. There is no question about our knowing more
than men do," replied the King, proudly. "But we employ
our wisdom to do good, instead of harm ; so that horrid Aesop
did not know what he was talking about."
They did not like to contradict him, because they felt
he ought to know the nature of foxes better than men did;
so they sat still and watched the play, and Button-Bright be-
came so interested that for the time he forgot he wore a fox
head.
Afterward they went back to the palace and slept in soft
beds stuffed with feathers; for the foxes raised many fowl
55
The Road to Oz
for food, and used their feathers for clothing and to sleep
upono
Dorothy wondered why the animals living in Foxville did
not wear just their own hairy skins, as wild foxes do; when
she mentioned it to King Dox he said they clothed them-
selves because they were civilized.
**But you were born without clothes," she observed, "and
you don't seem to me to need them."
"So were human beings born without clothes," he replied;
"and until they became civilized they wore only their natural
skinSo But to become civilized means to dress as elaborately
and prettily as possible, and to make a show of your clothes
so your neighbors will envy you, and for that reason both
civilized foxes and civilized humans spend most of their time
dressing themselves."
"I don't," declared the shaggy man.
"That is true," said the King, looking at him carefully:
"but perhaps you are not civilized."
After a sound sleep and a good night' s rest they had their
breakfast with the King and then bade his Majesty good-bye.
"Ycu Ve been kind to us — 'cept poor Button-Bright,"
said Dorothy, "and we 've had a nice time in Foxville."
"Then," said King Dox, "perhaps you '11 be good enough
to get me an invitation to Princess Ozma's birthday celebra-
tion."
56
King D o X
"I '11 try," she promised; "if I see her in time."
"It 's on the twenty-first, remember," he continued; "and
if you '11 just see that I 'm invited I '11 find a way to cross the
Dreadful Desert into the marvelous Land of Oz. I 've al-
ways wanted to visit the Emerald City, so I 'm sure it was
fortunate you arrived here just when you did, you being Prin-
cess Ozma's friend and able to assist me in getting the invi-
tation."
"If I see Ozma I '11 ask her to invite you," she replied.
The Fox-King had a delightful luncheon put up for them,
which the shaggy man shoved in his pocket, and the fox-cap-
tain escorted them to an arch at the side of the village oppo-
site the one by which they had entered. Here they found
more soldiers guarding the road.
"Are you afraid of enemies'?" asked Dorothy.
"No; because we are watchful and able to protect our-
selves," answered the captain. "But this road leads to an-
other village peopled by big, stupid beasts who might cause
us trouble if they thought we were afraid of them."
"What beasts are they?" asked the shaggy man.
The captain hesitated to answer. P'inally he said :
"You will learn all about them when you arrive at their
city. But do not be afraid of them. Button-Bright is so
wonderfully clever and has now such an intelligent face that
I 'm sure he will manage to find a way to protect you."
J7
The Road to Oz
This made Dorothy and the shaggy man rather uneasy, for
they had not so much confidence in the fox-boy's wisdom as
the captain seemed to have. But as their escort would say no
more about the beasts, they bade him good-bye and proceeded
on their journey.
58
TOTO, now allowed to run about as he pleased, was glad
to be free again and able to bark at the birds and chase the
butterflies. The country around them was charming, yet in
the pretty fields of wild-flowers and groves of leafy trees were
no houses whatever, or sign of any inhabitants. Birds flew
through the air and cunning white rabbits darted amongst
the tall grasses and green bushes ; Dorothy noticed even the
ants toiling busily along the roadway, bearing gigantic loads
of clover seed; but of people there were none at all.
They walked briskly Oi.\ for an hour or t> o, for even lit-
tle Button-Bright was a g^^od walker and diu not tire easily*
S9
The Road to Oz
At length as they turned a curve in the road they beheld just
before them a curious sight.
A little girl, radiant and beautiful, shapely as. a
fairy and exquisitely dressed, was dancing gracefully in the
middle of the lonely road, whirling slowly this way and that,
her dainty feet twinkling in sprightly fashion. She was clad
in flowing, fluffy robes of soft material that reminded Doro-
thy of woven cobwebs, only it was colored in soft tintings of
violet, rose, topaz, olive, azure, and white, mingled together
most harmoniously in stripes which melted one into the other
with soft blendings. Her hair was like spun gold and floated
around her in a cloud, no strand being fastened or confined
by either pin or ornament or ribbon.
Filled with wonder and admiration our friends ap-
proached and stood watching this fascinating dance. The girl
was no taller than Dorothy, although more slender; nor did
she seem any older than our little heroine.
Suddenly she paused and abandoned the dance, as if for
the first time observing the presence of strangers. As she
faced them, shy as a frightened fawn, poised upon one foot as
if to fly the next instant, Dorothy was astonished to see tears
flowing from her violet eyes and trickling down her lovely
rose-hued cheeks. That the dainty maiden should dance
and weep at the same time was indeed surprising; so Dorothy
asked in a soft, sympathetic voice :
60
6f
POLYCHROME-THE RAINBOWS DAUGH1£I«
The Road to Oz
"Are you unhappy, little girl?'*
"Very I" was the reply; "I am lost." '
"Why, so are we," said Dorothy, smiling; "but we don 't
cry about it."
"Don't you? Why not?'
" 'Cause I 've been lost before, and always got found
again," answered Dorothy, simply.
"But I 've never been lost before," murmured the dainty
maiden, "and I 'm worried and afraid."
"You were dancing," remarked Dorothy, in a puzzled
tone of voice.
"Oh, that was just to keep warm," explained the maiden,
quickly. "It was not because I felt happy or gay, I assure
you.
Dorothy looked at her closely. Her gauzy flowing robes
might not be very warm, yet the weather was n't at all chilly,
but rather mild and balmy, like a spring day.
"Who are you, dear*?" she asked, gently.
"I 'm Polychrome," was the reply.
"Polly whom?"
"Polychrome. I 'm the Daughter of the Rainbow."
"Oh!" said Dorothy, with a gasp; "I did n't know the
Rainbow had children. But I might have known it, before
you spoke. You could n't really be anything else."
"Why not?" inquired Polychrome, as if surprised.
62
The Rainbow's Daughter
''Because you 're so lovely and sweet."
The little maiden smiled through her tears, came up to
Dorothy, and placed her slender fingers in the Kansas girl's
chubby hand.
"You '11 be my friend — won't you?" she said, plead-
ingly.
"Of course."
"And what is your name*?"
"I *m Dorothy; and this is my friend Shaggy Man, who
owns the Love Magnet ; and this is Button-Bright — only
you don't see him as he really is because the Fox-King care-
lessly changed his head into a fox head. But the real Button-
Bright is good to look at, and I hope to get him changed back
to himself, some time."
63
The Road to Oz
The Rainbow's Daughter nodded cheerfully, no longer
afraid of her new companions.
"But who is this?" she asked, pointing to Toto, who was
sitting before her wagging his tail in the most friendly man-
ner and admiring the pretty maid with his bright eyes. "Is
this, also, some enchanted person T'
"Oh no, Polly — I may call you Polly, may n 1 1? Your
whole name 's awful hard to say."
"Call me Polly if you wish, Dorothy."
"Well, Polly, Toto 's just a dog; but he has more sense
than Button-Bright, to tell the truth; and I 'm very fond of
him."
"So am I," said Polychrome, bending gracefully to pat
Toto's head.
"But how did the Rainbow's Daughter ever get on this
lonely road, and become lost?" asked the shaggy man, who
had listened wonderingly to all this.
"Why, my father stretched his rainbow over here this
morning, so that one end of it touched this road," was the re-
ply; "and I was dancing upon the pretty rays, as I love to do,
and never noticed I was getting too far over the bend in the
circle. Suddenly I began to slide, and I went faster and faster
until at last I bumped on the ground, at the very end. Just
then father lifted the rainbow again, without noticing me at
all, and though I tried to seize the end of it and hold fast, it
64
The Rainbow's Daughter
melted away entirely and I was left alone and helpless on
the cold, hard earth I"
"It does n't seem cold to me, Polly," said Dorothy; "but
perhaps you 're not warmly dressed."
"I 'm so used to living nearer the sun," replied the Rain-
bow's Daughter, "that at first I feared I would freeze down
here. But my dance has warmed me some, and now I wonder
how I am ever to get home again."
"Won't your father miss you, and look for you, and let
down another rainbow for you?"
"Perhaps so; but he 's busy just now because it rains in
so many parts of the world at this season, and he has to set
65
The Road to Oz
his rainbow in a lot of different places. What would you ad-
vise me to do, Dorothy'?"
"Come with us," was the answer. "I 'm going to try to
find my way to the Emerald City, which is in the fairy Land
of Oz. The Emerald City is ruled by a friend of mine, the
Princess Ozma, and if we can manage to get there I '*m sure
she will know a way to send you home to your father again."
"Do you really think so*?" asked Polychrome, anxiously.
*T 'm pretty sure."
"Then I '11 go with you," said the little maid; "for travel
will help keep me warm, and father can find me in one part of
the world as well as another — if he gets time to look for
me."
"Come along, then," said the shaggy man, cheerfully;
and they started on once more. Polly walked beside Doro-
thy a while, holding her new friend's hand as if she feared
to let it go; but her nature seemed as light and buoyant as
her fleecy robes, for suddenly she darted ahead and whirled
round in a giddy dance. Then she tripped back to them with
sparkling eyes and smiling cheeks, having regained her usual
happy mood and forgotten all her worry about being lost.
They found her a charming companion, and her dancing
and laughter — for she laughed at times like the tinkling of
a silver bell — did much to enliven their journey and keep
them contented.
66
WHEN noon came they opened the Fox-King's basket of
luncheon, and found a nice roasted turkey with cranberry
sauce and some slices of bread and butter. As they sat on the
grass by the roadside the shaggy man cut up the turkey with
his pocket-knife and passed slices of it around.
"Have n't you any dewdrops, or mist-cakes, or cloud-
buns?" asked Polychrome, longingly.
"'Course not," replied Dorothy. "We eat solid things,
down here on the earth. But there 's a bottle of cold tea.
Try some, won't you*?"
The Rainbow's Daughter watched Button-Bright devour
one leg of the turkey.
67
The Road to Oz
"Is it good?" she askedo
He nodded.
"Do you think I could eat it?"
"Not this," said Button-Bright.
"But I mean another piece?"
"Don't know," he replied.
"Well, I 'm going to try, for I 'm very hungry," she de-
cided, and took a thin slice of the white breast of turkey
which the shaggy man cut for her, as well as a bit of bread and
butter. When she tasted it Polychrome thought the turkey
was good — better even than mist-cakes ; but a little satisfied
her hunger and she finished with a tiny sip of cold tea.
"That 's about as much as a fly would eat," said Dorothy,
who was making a good meal herself. "But I know some peo-
ple in Oz who eat nothing at all."
"Who are they?" inquired the shaggy man.
"One is a scarecrow who 's stuffed with straw, and the
other a woodman made out of tin. They have n't any appe-
tites inside of 'em, you see; so they never eat anything at all."
"Are they alive?" asked Button-Bright.
"Oh yes," replied Dorothy; "and they 're very clever and
very nice, too. If we get to Oz I '11 introduce them to you."
"Do you really expect to get to Oz?" inquired the shaggy
man, taking a drink of cold tea.
"I don't know just what to 'spect," answered the child,
68
69
POLLY SIPPED A LITTLE COLD TEA
The Road to Oz
seriously; "but I 've noticed if I happen to get lost I 'm al-
most sure to come to the Land of Oz in the end, somehow
'r other; so I may get there this time. But I can't promise,
you know; all I can do is wait and see."
"Will the Scarecrow scare me^" asked Button-Bright.
"No; 'cause you 're not a crow," she returned. "He has
the loveliest smile you ever saw — only it 's painted on and
he can't help it."
Luncheon being over they started again upon their jour-
ney, the shaggy man, Dorothy and Button-Bright walking
soberly along, side by side, and the Rainbow's Daughter
dancing merrily before them.
Sometimes she darted along the road so swiftly that she
was nearly out of sight, then she came tripping back to greet
them with her silvery laughter. But once she came back more
sedately, to say :
"There's a city a little way off."
"I 'spected that," returned Dorothy; "for the fox-people
warned us there was one on this road. It 's filled with stupid
beasts of some sort, but we must n't be afraid of 'em 'cause
they won't hurt us."
"All right," said Button-Bright; but Polychrome did n't
know whether it was all right or not.
"It 's a big city," she said, "and the road runs straight
through it."
70
The City of Beasts
"Never mind," said the shaggy man; "as long as I carry
the Love Magnet every living thing will love me, and you
may be sure I shan't allow any of my friends to be harmed
in any way."
This comforted them somewhat, and they moved on again.
Pretty soon they came to a sign-post that read:
"HAF A MYLE TO DUNKITON."
"Oh," said the shaggy man, "if they 're donkeys we *ve
nothing to fear at all."
"They may kick," said Dorothy, doubtfully.
"Then we will cut some switches, and make them behave,"
he replied. At the first tree he cut himself a long, slender
switch from one of the branches, and shorter switches for
the others.
"Don't be afraid to order the beasts around," he said;
"they 're used to it."
Before long the road brought them to the gates of the city.
There was a high wall all around, which had been white-
washed, and the gate just before our travelers was a mere
opening in the wall, with no bars across it. No towers or
steeples or domes showed above the enclosure, nor was any
living thing to be seen as our friends drew near.
Suddenly, as they were about to boldly enter through the
opening, there arose a harsh clamor of sound that swelled and
71
The Road to Oz
echoed on every side, until they were nearly deafened by the
racket and had to put their fingers to their ears to keep the
noise out.
It was like the firing of many cannon, only there were no
cannon-balls or other missiles to be seen ; it was like the roll-
ing of mighty thunder, only not a cloud was in the sky; it was
like the roar of countless breakers on a rugged seashore, only
there was no sea or other water anywhere about.
They hesitated to advance ; but, as the noise did no harm,
they entered through the whitewashed wall and quickly dis-
covered the cause of the turmoil. Inside were suspended
many sheets of tin or thin iron, and against these metal sheets
a row of donkeys were pounding their heels with vicious
The City of Beasts
The shaggy man ran up to the nearest donkey and gave
the beast a sharp blow with his switch.
"Stop that noise I" he shouted; and the donkey stopped
kicking the metal sheet and turned its head to look with sur-
prise at the shaggy man. He switched the next donkey, and
made him stop, and then the next, so that gradually the rat-
tling of heels ceased and the awful noise subsided. The don-
keys stood in a group and eyed the strangers with fear and
trembling.
"What do you mean by making such a racket?" asked the
shaggy man, sternly.
"We were scaring away the foxes," said one of the
donkeys, meekly. "Usually they run fast enough when they
hear the noise, which makes them afraid."
"There are no foxes here," said the shaggy man.
"I beg to differ with you. There 's one, anyhow," replied
the donkey, sitting upright on its haunches and waving a
hoof toward Button-Bright. "We saw him coming and
thought the whole army of foxes was marching to attack us.".
"Button-Bright is n't a fox," explained the shaggy man.
"He 's only wearing a fox head for a time, until he can get
his own head back."
"Oh, I see," remarked the donkey, waving its left ear re-
flectively. "I 'm sorry we made such a mistake, -and had all
our work and worry for nothing."
73
The Road to Oz
The other donkeys by this time were sitting up and exam-
ining the strangers with big, glassy eyes. They made a queer
picture, indeed ; for they wore wide, white collars around their
necks and the collars had many scallops and points. The
gentlemen-donkeys wore high pointed caps set between their
great ears, and the lady-donkeys wore sunbonnets with holes
cut in the top for the ears to stick through. But they had no
other clothing except their hairy skins, although many wore
gold and silver bangles on their front wrists and bands of dif-
ferent metals on their rear ankles. When they were kicking
they had braced themselves with their front legs, but now
they all stood or sat upright on their hind legs and used their
front ones as arms. Having no fingers or hands the beasts
were rather clumsy, as you may guess ; but Dorothy was sur-
prised to observe how many things they could do with their
stiff, heavy hoofs.
Some of the donkeys were white, some were brown, or
gray, or black, or spotted ; but their hair was sleek and smooth
and their broad collars and caps gave them a neat, if whim-
sical, appearance.
"This is a nice way to welcome visitors, I must say I" re-
marked the shaggy man, in a reproachful tone.
"Oh, we did not mean to be impolite," replied a grey
donkey which had not spoken before. "But you were not ex-
74
The City of Beasts
pected, nor did you send in your visiting cards, as it is proper
to do."
''There is some truth in that," admitted the shaggy man;
"but, now you are informed that we are important and dis-
tinguished travelers, I trust you will accord us proper consid-
eration."
These big words delighted the donkeys, and made them
bow to the shaggy man with great respect. Said the grey one :
"You shall be taken before his great and glorious Maj-
esty King Kik-a-bray, who will greet you as becomes your
exalted stations."
"That 's right," answered Dorothy. "Take us to some
one who knows something."
The Road to Oz
"Oh, we all know something, my child, or we should n't
be donkeys," asserted the grey one, with dignity. "The word
'donkey' means 'clever,' you know."
"I did n't know it," she replied. "I thought it meant
'stupid'."
"Not at all, my child. If you will look in the Encyclo-
pedia Donkaniara you will find I 'm correct. But come; I
will myself lead you before our splendid, exalted, and most
intellectual ruler."
All donkeys love big words, so it is no wonder the grey
one used so many of them.
It
THEY found the houses of the town all low and square and
built of bricks, neatly whitewashed inside and out. The
houses were not set in rows, forming regular streets, but
placed here and there in a haphazard manner which made it
puzzling for a stranger to find his way.
"Stupid people must have streets and numbered houses
in their cities, to guide them where to go," observed the grey
donkey, as he walked before the visitors on his hind legs, in
an awkward but comical manner; "but clever donkeys know
their way about without such absurd marks. Moreover, a
mixed city is much prettier than one with straight streets."
77
The Road to Oz
Dorothy did not agree with this, but she said nothing to
contradict it. Presently she saw a sign on a house that read :
"Madam de Fayke, Hoofist," and she asked their conductor:
"What 's a 'hoofist,' please?"
"One who reads 5^our fortune in your hoofs," replied the
grey donkey.
"Oh, I see," said the little girl. "You are quite civilized
here."
"Dunkiton," he replied, "is the center of the world's
highest civilization."
They came to a house where two youthful donkeys were
whitewashing the wall, and Dorothy stopped a moment to
watch them. They dipped the ends of their tails, which were
much like paint-brushes, into a pail of whitewash, backed up
against the house, and wagged their tails right and left until
the whitewash was rubbed on the wall, after which they
dipped these funny brushes in the pail again and repeated the
performance.
"That must be fun," said Button-Bright.
"No; it 's work," replied the old donkey; "but we make
our youngsters do all the whitewashing, to keep them out of
mischief."
"Don't they go to school'?" asked Dorothy.
"All donke3's are born wise," was the reply, "so the only
school we need is the school of experience. Books are only fit
78
The Shaggy Man's Transformation
for those who know nothing, and so are obliged to learn things
from other people."
"In other words, the more stupid one is the more he thinks
he knows," observed the shaggy man. The grey donkey paid
no attention to this speech because he had just stopped before
a house which had painted over the doorway a pair of hoofs,
with a donkey tail between them and a rude crown and sceptre
above.
"I '11 see if his magnificent Majesty King Kik-a-bray is
at home," said he. He lifted his head and called "Whee-haw !
whee-haw! whee-haw!" three times, in a shocking voice, turn-
ing about and kicking with his heels against the panel of the
79
The Road to Oz
door. For a time there was no reply; then the door opened
far enough to permit a donkey's head to stick out and look at
them.
It was a white head, with big, awful ears and round, sol-
emn eyes.
"Have the foxes gone^" it asked, in a trembling voice.
"They have n't been here, most stupendous Majesty," re-
plied the grey one. "The new arrivals prove to be travelers
of distinction."
"Oh," said the King, in a relieved tone of voice. "Let
them come in."
He opened the door wide, and the party marched into a
big room, which, Dorothy thought, looked quite unlike a
king's palace. There were mats of woven grasses on the floor
and the place was clean and neat; but his Majesty had no
other furniture at all — perhaps because he did n't need it.
He squatted down in the center of the room and a little brown
donkey ran and brought a big gold crown which it placed on
the monarch's head, and a golden staff with a jeweled ball at
the end of it, which the King held between his front hoofs as
he sat upright.
"Now, then," said his Majesty, waving his long ears
gently to and fro, "tell me why you are here, and what you
expect me to do for you." He eyed Button-Bright rather
80
The Shaggy Man's Transformation
sharply, as if afraid of the little boy's queer head, though it
was the shaggy man who undertook to reply.
*'Most noble and supreme ruler of Dunkiton," he said,
trying not to laugh in the solemn King's face, "we are stran-
gers traveling through your dominions, and have entered your
magnificent city because the road led through it, and there
was no way to go around. All we desire is to pay our respects
to your Majesty — the cleverest king in all the world, I 'm
sure — and then to continue on our way."
This polite speech pleased the King very much; indeed, it
pleased him so much that it proved an unlucky speech for the
shaggy man. Perhaps the Love Magnet helped to win his
81
The Road to Oz
Majesty's affection as well as the flattery, but however this
may be the white donkey looked kindly upon the speaker and
said :
"Only a donkey should be able to use such fine, big words,
and you are too wise and admirable in all ways to be a mere
man. Also I feel that I love you as well as I do my own fav-
ored people, so I will bestow upon you the greatest gift with-
in my power — a donkey's head."
As he spoke he waved his jeweled staff. Although the
shaggy man cried out and tried to leap backward and escape,
it proved of no use. Suddenly his own head was gone and a
donkey head appeared in its place — a brown, shaggy head
so absurd and droll that Dorothy and Polly both broke into
merry laughter, and even Button-Bright' s fox face wore a
smile.
"Dear me I dear me!" cried the shaggy man, feeling of his
shaggy new head and his long ears. "What a misfortune —
what a great misfortune! Give me back my own head, you
stupid king — if you love me at all!"
"Don't you like it'?" asked the King, surprised.
"Hee-haw! I hate it! Take it away — quick!" said the
shaggy man.
"But I can't do that," was the reply. "'My magic works
only one way. I can <'/^ things, but I can't z/;?do them. You'll
have to find the Truth Pond, and bathe in its water, in or-
82
83
KING KICK-A-BRAY WORKS MAGIC ON THE SHAGGY MAN
The Road to Oz
der to get back your own head. But I advise you not to do
that. This head is much more beautiful than the old one."
"That 's a matter of taste," said Dorothy.
''Where is the Truth Pond*?" asked the shaggy man, earn-
estly.
''Somewhere in the Land of Oz; but just the exact loca-
tion of it I can not tell," was the answer.
"Don't worry. Shaggy Man," said Dorothy, smiling be-
cause her friend wagged his new ears so comically. "If the
Truth Pond is in Oz we '11 be sure to iind it when we get
there."
"Oh! Are you going to the Land of OzT' asked King
Kik-a-bray.
"I don't know," she replied; "but we 've been told we are
nearer the Land of Oz than to Kansas, and if that 's so the
quickest way for me to get home is to find Ozma."
"Haw-haw! Do you know the mighty Princess Ozma?"
asked the King, his tone both surprised and eager.
" 'Course I do; she 's my friend," said Dorothy.
"Then perhaps you '11 do me a favor," continued the white
donkey, much excited.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Perhaps you can get me an invitation to Princess Ozma's
birthday celebration, which will be the grandest royal func-
tion ever held in Fairyland. I 'd love to go."
84
The Shaggy Man's Transformation
"Hee-haw I You deserve punishment, rather than reward,
for giving me this dreadful head," said the shaggy man, sor-
rowfully.
"I wish you would n't say 'hee-haw' so much," Poly-
chrome begged him; "it makes cold chills run down my back."
"But I can't help it, my dear; my donkey head wants to
bray continually," he replied. "Does n't your fox head want
to yelp every minute*?" he asked Button-Bright.
"Don't know," said the boy, still staring at the shaggy
man's ears. These seemed to interest him greatly, and the
sight also made him forget his own fox head, which was a com-
fort.
"What do you think, Polly *? shall I promise the donkey
king an invitation to Ozma's party?' asked Dorothy of the
Rainbow's Daughter, who was flitting about the room like a
sunbeam because she could never keep still.
"Do as you please, dear," answered Polychrome. "He
might help to amuse the guests of the Princess."
"Then, if you will give us some supper and a place to
sleep to-night, and let us get started on our journey early to-
morrow morning," said Dorothy to the King, "I '11 ask Ozma
to invite you — if I happen to get to Oz."
"Good! Hee-haw I Excellent!" cried Kik-a-bray, much
pleased. "You shall all have fine suppers and good beds.
85
The Road to Oz
What food would you prefer, a bran mash or ripe oats in the
shell?'
"Neither one," replied Dorothy, promptly.
"Perhaps plain hay, or some sweet juicy grass would suit
you better," suggested Kik-a-bray, musingly.
"Is that all you have to eat?' asked the girl.
"What more do you desire?'
"Well, you see we 're not donkeys," she explained, "and
so we 're used to other food. The foxes gave us a nice sup-
per in Foxville."
"We 'd like some dewdrops and mist-cakes," said Poly
chrome.
**I 'd prefer apples and a ham sandwich," declared the
86
The Shaggy Man's Transformation
shaggy man ; "for although I ' ve a donkey head I still have
my own particular stomach."
"I want pie," said Button-Bright.
"I think some beefsteak and chocolate layer-cake would
taste best," said Dorothy.
"Hee-haw I I declare I" exclaimed the King. "It seems
each one of you wants a different food. How queer all liv-
ing creatures are, except donkeys I"
"And donkeys like you are queerest of all," laughed
Polychrome.
"Well," decided the King, "I suppose my Magic Staff
will produce the things you crave ; if you are lacking in good
taste it is not my fault,"
With this he waved his staff with the jeweled ball, and be-
fore them instantly appeared a tea-table, set with linen and
pretty dishes, and on the table were the very things each had
wished for. Dorothy's beefsteak was smoking hot, and the
shaggy man's apples were plump and rosy-cheeked. The
King had not thought to provide chairs, so they all stood in
their places around the table and ate with good appetite, be-
ing hungry. The Rainbow's Daughter found three tiny dew-
drops on a crystal plate, and Button-Bright had a big slice of
apple-pie, which he devoured eagerly.
Afterward the King called the brown donkey, which was
his favorite servant, and bade it lead his guests to the vacant
87
The Road to Oz
house where they were to pass the night. It had only one room
and no furniture except beds of clean straw and a few mats of
woven grasses; but our travelers were contented with these
simple things because they realized it was the best the
Donkey-King had to offer them. As soon as it was dark they
lay down on the mats and slept comfortably until morning.
At daybreak there was a dreadful noise throughout the
city. Every donkey in the place brayed. When he heard this
the shaggy man woke up and called out "Hee-haw I" as loud
as he could.
"Stop that!" said Button-Bright, in a cross voice. Both
Dorothy and Polly looked at the shaggy man reproachfully.
88
The Shaggy Man's Transformation
"I could n't help it, my dears," he said, as if ashamed of
his bray; "but I '11 try not to do it again."
Of course they forgave him, for as he still had the Love
Magnet in his pocket they were all obliged to love him as
much as ever.
They did not see the King again, but Kik-a-bray remem-
bered them; for a table appeared again in their room with the
same food upon it as on the night before.
"Don't want pie for breakfus'," said Button-Bright.
"I '11 give you some of my beefsteak," proposed Dorothy;
"there's plenty for us all."
That suited the boy better, but the shaggy man said he
was content with his apples and sandwiches, although he
ended the meal by eating Button-Bright's pie. Polly liked
her dewdrops and mist-cakes better than any other food, so
they all enjoyed an excellent breakfast. Toto had the scraps
left from the beefsteak, and he stood up nicely on his hind
legs while Dorothy fed them to him.
Breakfast ended, they passed through the village to the
side opposite that by which they had entered, the brown ser-
vant-donkey guiding them through the maze of scattered
houses. There was the road again, leading far away into the
unknown country beyond.
"King Kik-a-bray says you must not forget his in vita-
89
The Road to Oz
tion," said the brown donkey, as they passed through the
opening in the wall.
"I shan't/' promised Dorothy.
Perhaps no one ever beheld a more strangely assorted
group than the one which now walked along the road, through
pretty green fields and past groves of feathery pepper-trees
and fragrant mimosa. Polychrome, her beautiful gauzy
robes floating around her like a rainbow cloud, went first,
dancing back and forth and darting now here to pluck a wild-
flower or there to watch a beetle crawl across the path. Toto
ran after her at times, barking joyously the while, only to be-
come sober again and trot along at Dorothy's heels. The
little Kansas girl walked holding Button-Bright's hand
clasped in her own, and the wee boy with his fox head cov-
ered by the sailor hat presented an odd appearance. Strang-
« >' •
The Shaggy Man's Transformation
est of all, perhaps, was the shaggy man, with his shaggy don-
key head, who shuffled along in the rear with his hands thrust
deep in his big pockets.
None of the party was really unhappy. All were straying
in an unknown land and had suffered more or less annoyance
and discomfort; but they realized they were having a fairy
adventure in a fairy country, and were much interested in
finding out what would happen next.
Qi
ABOUT the middle of the forenoon they began to go up a
long hill. By-and-by this hill suddenly dropped down into a
pretty valley, where the travelers saw to their surprise, a
small house standing by the road-side.
It was the first house they had seen, and they hastened
into the valley to discover who lived there. No one was in
sight as they approached, but when they began to get nearer
the house they heard queer sounds coming from it. They
could not make these out at first, but as they became louder
our friends thought they heard a sort of music like that made
by a wheezy hand-organ ; the music fell upon their ears in this
way: 92
The Musicker
T^ id dle-wid die-id die ^ oom pom-pom!
Oom^ pom-pom! oom, pom-pom!
^iddle-tiddle-tiddle, oom pom-pom!
Oom, pom-pom — pah!
"What is it, a band or a mouth-organ^" asked Dorothy.
"Don't know," said Button-Bright.
"Sounds to me like a played-out phonograph," said the
shaggy man, lifting his enormous ears to listen.
"Oh, there just could n't be a funnygraf in Fairyland I"
cried Dorothy.
"It 's rather pretty, is n't it?" asked Polychrome, trying to
dance to the strains,
^iddle-widdle-iddle, oom pom-pom,
Oom pom-pom; oom pom-pom!
came the music to their ears, more distinctly as they drew
nearer the house. Presently they saw a little fat man sitting
on a bench before the door. He wore a red, braided jacket
that reached to his waist, a blue waistcoat, and white trousers
with gold stripes down the sides. On his bald head was
perched a little, round, red cap held in place by a rubber elas-
tic underneath his chin. His face was round, his eyes a faded
blue, and he wore white cotton gloves. The man leaned on a
9%
The Road to Oz
stout gold-headed cane, bending forward on his seat to watch
his visitors approach.
Singularly enough, the musical sounds they had heard
seemed to come from the inside of the fat man himself; for
he was playing no instrument nor was any to be seen near
him.
They came up and stood in a row, staring at him, and he
stared back while the queer sounds came from him as before :
TUddle-iddle-iddle, oom pom-pom^
Oom^ pom-pom; oom pom-pom!
liiddle-widdle-iddle^ oom pom-pom^
Oom^ pom-pom — pah!
94
The Musicker
"Why, he 's a reg'lar musicker I" said Button-Bright.
"What 's a musicker?" asked Dorothy.
"Him!" said the boy.
Hearing this the fat man sat up a little stiffer than before,
as if he had received a compliment, and still came the sounds:
Tiddle-widdle-iddle, oom pom'pom^
Oom pom-pom^ oom
"Stop it I" cried the shaggy man, earnestly. "Stop that
dreadful noise!"
The fat man looked at him sadly and began his reply.
When he spoke the music changed and the words seemed to
accompany the notes. He said — or rather sang :
// is n't a noise that you hear^
But Music, harmonic and clear.
My breath makes me play
Like an organ, all day —
T^hat bass note is in my left ear,
"How funny!" exclaimed Dorothy; "he says his breath
makes the music."
"That 's all nonsense," declared the shaggy man ; but now
the music began again, and they all listened carefully.
95
The Road to Oz
My lungs are full of reeds like those
In organs^ therefore I suppose,
If I breathe in or out my nose,
^he reeds are hound to play.
So, as I breathe to live, you know^
I squeeze out music as I go;
I 'm very sorry this is so
Forgive my piping, pray!
*Toor man," said Polychrome; "he can't help it. What a
great misfortune it is!"
"Yes," replied the shaggy man; "we are only obliged to
hear this music a short time, until we leave him and go away;
96
The Musicker
but the poor fellow must listen to himself as long as he lives,
and that is enough to drive him crazy. Don't you think so'?"
"Don't know," said Button-Bright. Toto said "Bow-
wow I" and the others laughed.
"Perhaps that 's why he lives all alone," suggested Doro-=
thy.
"Yes; if he had neighbors they might do him an injury,"
responded the shaggy man.
All this while the little fat musicker was breathing the
notes :
l^iddle-tiddle-iddle^ oom, pom-pom^
and they had to speak loud in order to hear themselves. The
shaggy man said :
"Who are you, sir^"
The reply came in the shape of this sing-song :
Fm Allegro da Capo, a very famous man;
Just find another, high or low, to match me if you can.
Some people try, but can't, to play
And have to practice every day;
But I 've been musical alway, since first my life began,
"Why, I b 'lieve he 's proud of it," exclaimed Dorothy
"and seems to me I 've heard worse music than he makes/'
97
The Road to Oz
"Where?" asked Button-Bright.
"I Ve forgotten, just now. But Mr. Da Capo is certainly
4 strange person — is n't he ? — and p'r'aps he 's the only one
of his kind in all the world."
This praise seemed to please the little fat musicker, for
he swelled out his chest, looked important and sang as fol'
lows :
/ wear no band around me^
And yet I am a band!
I do not strain to make my strains
But^ on the other hand^
My toot is always destitute
Of flats or other errors;
*To see sharp and be natural are
For me but minor terrors,
"I don't quite understand that," said Polychrome, with a
puzzled look; "but perhaps it 's because I 'm accustomed only
to the music of the spheres."
"What 's that?" asked Button-Bright.
"Oh, Polly means the atmosphere and hemisphere, I
s'pose," explained Dorothy.
"Oh," said Button-Bright.
"Bow-wow I" said Toto.
98
The Musicker
But the musicker was still breathing his constant
Oom^ pom-pom; oom^ pom-pom
and it seemed to jar on the shaggy man's nerves.
"Stop it, can't you?" he cried, angrily; "or breathe in a
whisper; or put a clothes-pin on your nose. Do something,
anyhow!"
But the fat one, with a sad look, sang this answer :
Music hath charms^ and it may
Soothe even the savage, they say;
So if savage you feel
Just list to my reel.
For sooth to say that 's the real way**
99
The Road to Oz
The shaggy man had to laugh at this, and when he laughed
he stretched his donkey mouth wide open. Said Dorothy :
*T don't know how good his poetry is, but it seems to fit
the notes, so that 's all that can be 'xpected."
*T like it," said Button-Bright, who was staring hard at
the musicker, his little legs spread wide apart. To the sur-
prise of his companions, the boy asked this long question :
*Tf I swallowed a mouth-organ, what would I be?"
"An organette," said the shaggy man. "But come, my
dears; I think the best thing we can do is to continue on our
journey before Button-Bright swallows anything. We must
try to find that Land of Oz, you know."
Hearing this speech the musicker sang, quickly:
If you go to the Land of Oz
Please take me along ^ because
On Ozma's birthday
I 'm anxious to play
T^he loveliest song ever was,
"No, thank you," said Dorothy; "we prefer to travel
alone. But if I see Ozma I '11 tell her you want to come to
her birthday party."
"Let 's be going," urged the shaggy man, anxiously.
Polly was already dancing along the road, far in advance,
100
The Musick
e r
and the others turned to follow her. Toto did not like the fat
musicker and made a grab for his chubby leg. Dorothy quick-
ly caught up the growling little dog and hurried after her com-
panions, who were walking faster than usual in order to get
out of hearing. They had to climb a hill, and until they got
to the top they could not escape the musicker's monotonous
piping:
Oom^ pom-pom; oom^ pom-pom;
lUddle-iddle-wtddle^ oom, pom-pom;
Oom^ pom-pom — pahr
As they passed the brow of the hill, however, and descend-
ed on the other side, the sounds gradually died away, whereat
they all felt much relieved.
lOI
The Road to Oz
"I 'm glad I don't have to live with the organ-man;
are n't you, Polly?" said Dorothy.
**Yes, indeed," answered the Rainbow's Daughter.
"He 's nice," declared Button-Bright, soberly.
"I hope your Princess Ozma won't invite him to her birth-
day celebration," remarked the shaggy man; "for the fellow's
music would drive her guests all crazy. You 've given me an
idea, Button-Bright; I believe the musicker must have swal-
lowed an accordeon in his youth."
"What 's 'cordeon?" asked the boy.
"It 's a kind of pleating," explained Dorothy, putting
down the dog.
"Bow-wow I" said Toto, and ran away at a mad gallop to
chase a bumble-bee.
102
THE country was n't so pretty now. Before the travelers
appeared a rocky plain covered with hills on which grew noth-
ing green. They were nearing some low mountains, too, and
the road, which before had been smooth and pleasant to walk
upon, grew rough and uneven.
Button-Bright's little feet stumbled more than once, and
Polychrome ceased her dancing because the walking was now
so difficult that she had no trouble to keep warm.
It had become afternoon, yet there was n't a thing for their
luncheon except two apples which the shaggy man had taken
from the breakfast table. He divided these into four pieces
103
The Road to Oz
and gave a portion to each of his companions. Dorothy and
Button-Bright were glad to get theirs ; but Polly was satisfied
with a small bite, and Toto did not like apples.
"Do you know," asked the Rainbow's Daughter, "if this
is the right road to the Emerald City?"
"No, I don't," replied Dorothy; "but it 's the only road in
this part of the country, so we may as well go to the end of it."
"It looks now as if it might end pretty soon," remarked
the shaggy man; "and what shall we do if it does?"
"Don't know," said Button-Bright.
"If I had my Magic Belt," replied Dorothy, thoughtfully,
"it could do us a lot of good just now."
"What is your Magic Belt?" asked Polychrome.
"It 's a thing I captured from the Nome King one day,
and it can do 'most any wonderful thing. But I left it with
Ozma, you know; 'cause magic won't work in Kansas, but
only in fairy countries."
"Is this a fairy country?" asked Button-Bright.
"I should think you 'd know," said the little girl, gravely.
"If it was n't a fairy country you could n't have a fox head
and the shaggy man could n't have a donkey head, and the
Rainbow's Daughter would be invis'ble."
"What 's that?" asked the boy.
"You don't seem to know anything, Button-Bright. Invis-
'ble is a thing you can't see."
104
Facing the Scoodlers
"Then Toto 's invisible," declared the boy, and Dorothy
found he was right. Toto had disappeared from view, but
they could hear him barking furiously among the heaps of
grey rock ahead of them.
They moved forward a little faster to see what the dog
was barking at, and found perched upon a point of rock by the
roadside a curious creature. It had the form of a man, mid-
dle-sized and rather slender and graceful ; but as it sat silent
and motionless upon the peak they could see that its face was
black as ink, and it wore a black cloth costume made like a
union suit and fitting tight to its skin. Its hands were black,
too, and its toes curled down, like a bird's. The creature was
black all over except its hair, which was fine, and yellow,
105
The Road to Oz
banged in front across the black forehead and cut close at the
sides. The eyes, which were fixed steadily upon the barking
dog, were small and sparkling and looked like the eyes of a
weasel.
"What in the world do you s'pose that is?" asked Dorothy
in a hushed voice, as the little group of travelers stood watch-
ing the strange creature.
"Don't know," said Button-Bright.
The thing gave a jump and turned half around, sitting in
the same place but with the other side of its body facing them.
Instead of being black, it was now pure white, with a face like
that of a clown in a circus and hair of a brilliant purple. The
creature could bend either way, and its white toes now curled
the same way the black ones on the other side had done.
"It has a face both front and back," whispered Dorothy,
wonderingly; "only there 's no back at all, but two fronts."
Having made the turn, the being sat motionless as before,
while Toto barked louder at the white man than he had done
at the black one.
"Once," said the shaggy man, "I had a jumping-jack like
that, with two faces."
"Was it alive *?" asked Button-Bright.
"No," replied the shaggy man; "it worked on strings, and
was made of wood."
"Wonder if this works with strings," said Dorothy; but
106
Facing the Scoodlers
Polychrome cried ''Look I" for another creature just like the
first had suddenly appeared sitting on another rock, its black
side toward them. The two twisted their heads around and
showed a black face on the white side of one and a white face
on the black side of the other.
"How curious," said Polychrome; "and how loose their
heads seem to be I Are they friendly to us, do you think?"
"Can't tell, Polly," replied Dorothy. "Let 's ask 'em."
The creatures flopped first one way and then the other,
showing black or white by turns; and now another joined
them, appearing on another rock. Our friends had come to a
little hollow in the hills, and the place where they now stood
107
The Road to Oz
was surrounded by jagged peaks of rock, except where the
road ran through.
"Now there are four of them," said the shaggy man.
"Five," declared Polychrome.
"Six," said Dorothy.
"Lots of 'em I" cried Button-Bright; and so there were —
quite a row of the two-sided black and white creatures sitting
on the rocks all around.
Toto stopped barking and ran between Dorothy's feet,
where he crouched down as if afraid. The creatures did not
look pleasant or friendly, to be sure, and the shaggy man's
donkey face became solemn, indeed.
"Ask 'em who they are, and what they want," whispered
Dorothy ; so the shaggy man called out in a loud voice :
"Who are you^"
"Scoodlers I" they yelled in chorus, their voices sharp and
shrill.
"What do you want?" called the shaggy man,
"You I" they yelled, pointing their thin fingers at the
group; and they all flopped around, so they were white, and
then all flopped back again, so they were black.
"But what do you want us for?" asked the shaggy man,
uneasily.
"Soup!" they all shouted, as if with one voice.
108
I09
-YOU!" THEY YELLED
The Road to Oz
"Goodness me I" said Dorothy, trembling a little; "the
Scoodlers must be reg'lar cannibals."
"Don't want to be soup," protested Button-Bright, be-
ginning to cry.
"Hush, dear," said the little girl, trying to comfort him;
"we don't any of us want to be soup. But don't worry; the
shaggy man will take care of us."
"Will he'?" asked Polychrome, who did not like the Scood-
lers at all, and kept close to Dorothy.
"I '11 try," promised the shaggy man; but he looked wor-
ried.
Happening just then to feel the Love Magnet in his
pocket, he said to the creatures, with more confidence :
"Don't you love me?"
"Yes!" they shouted, all together.
"Then you must n't harm me, or my friends," said the
shaggy man, firmly.
"We love you in soup!" they yelled, and in a flash turned
their white sides to the front.
"How dreadful!" said Dorothy. "This is a time, Shaggy
Man, when you get loved too much."
"Don't want to be soup!" wailed Button-Bright again;
and Toto began to whine dismally, as if he did n't want to be
soup, either.
"The only thing to do," said the shaggy man to his friends,
110
Facing the Scoodlers
in a low tone, *'is to get out of this pocket in the rocks as soon
as we can, and leave the Scoodlers behind us. Follow me, my
dears, and don't pay any attention to what they do or say."
With this he began to march along the road to the opening
in the rocks ahead, and the others kept close behind him. But
the Scoodlers closed up in front, as if to bar their way, and so
the shaggy man stooped down and picked up a loose stone,
which he threw at the creatures to scare them from the path.
At this the Scoodlers raised a howl. Two of them picked
their heads from their shoulders and hurled them at the
shaggy man with such force that he fell over in a heap, greatly
astonished. The two now ran forward with swift leaps, caught
up their heads, and put them on again, after which they
sprang back to their positions on the rocks.
ill
THE shaggy man got up and felt of himself to see if he was
hurt; but he was not. One of the heads had struck his breast
and the other his left shoulder; yet though they had knocked
him down the heads were not hard enough to bruise him.
"Come on," he said, firmly; "we Ve got to get out of here
some way,'* and forward he started again.
The Scoodlers began yelling and throwing their heads in
great numbers at our frightened friends. The shaggy man
was knocked over again, and so was Button-Bright, who
kicked his heels against the ground and howled as loud as he
could, although he was not hurt a bit. One head struck Toto,
112
Escaping the Soup-Kettle
who first yelped and then grabbed the head by an ear and
started running away with it.
The Scoodlers who had thrown their heads began to
scramble down and run to pick them up, with wonderful
quickness; but the one whose head Toto had stolen found it
hard to get it back again. The head could n't see the body
with either pair of its eyes, because the dog was in the way, so
the headless Scoodler stumbled around over the rocks and
tripped on them more than once in its effort to regain its top.
Toto was trying to get outside the rocks and roll the head
down the hill ; but some of the other Scoodlers came to the res-
cue of their unfortunate comrade and pelted the dog with
their own heads until he was obliged to drop his burden and
hurry back to Dorothy.
The little girl and the Rainbow's Daughter had both es-
caped the shower of heads, but they saw now that it would be
useless to try to run away from the dreadful Scoodlers.
"We may as well submit," declared the shaggy man, in a
rueful voice, as he got upon his feet again. He turned to-
ward their foes and asked :
"What do you want us to do?"
"Gomel" they cried, in a triumphant chorus, and at once
sprang from the rocks and surrounded their captives on all
sides. One funny thing about the Scoodlers was they could
walk in either direction, coming or going, without turning
113
The Road to Oz
around ; because they had two faces and, as Dorothy said,
"two front sides," and their feet were shaped like the letter
T upside down (X) • They moved with great rapidity and
there was something about their glittering eyes and contrast-
ing colors and removable heads that inspired the poor pris-
oners with horror, and made them long to escape.
But the creatures led their captives away from the rocks
and the road, down the hill by a side path until they came be-
fore a low mountain of rock that looked like a huge bowl
turned upside down. At the edge of this mountain was a
deep gulf — so deep that when you looked into it there was
nothing but blackness below. Across the gulf was a narrow
114
Escaping the Soup-Kettle
bridge of rock, and at the other end of the bridge was an
arched opening that led into the mountain.
Over this bridge the Scoodlers led their prisoners, through
the opening into the mountain, which they found to be an im-
mense hollow dome lighted by several holes in the roof. All
around the circular space were built rock houses, set close to-
gether, each with a door in the front wall. None of these
houses was more than six feet wide, but the Scoodlers were
thin people sidewise and did not need much room. So vast
was the dome that there was a large space in the middle of
the cave, in front of all these houses, where the creatures
might congregate as in a great hall.
It made Dorothy shudder to see a huge iron kettle sus-
pended by a stout chain in the middle of the place, and un-
derneath the kettle a great heap of kindling wood and shav-
ings, ready to light.
''What 's that*?" asked the shaggy man, drawing back as
they approached this place, so that they were forced to push
him forward.
"The Soup Kettle I" yelled the Scoodlers; and then they
shouted in the next breath :
"We 're hungry!"
Button-Bright, holding Dorothy's hand in one chubby
fist and Polly's hand in the other, was so affected by this shout
that he began to cry again, repeating the protest:
115
The Road to Oz
"Don't want to be soup, I don't!"
"Never mind," said the shaggy man, consolingly; "I
ought to make enough soup to feed them all, I 'm so big; so
I '11 ask them to put me in the kettle first."
"All right," said Button-Bright, more cheerfully.
But the Scoodlers were not ready to make soup yet. They
led the captives into a house at the farthest side of the cave
— a house somewhat wider than the others.
"Who lives here?" asked the Rainbow's Daughter. The
Scoodlers nearest her replied :
"The Queen."
It made Dorothy hopeful to learn that a woman ruled
over these fierce creatures, but a moment later they were ush-
ered by two or three of the escort into a gloomy, bare room —
and her hope died away.
For the Queen of the Scoodlers proved to be much more
dreadful in appearance than any of her people. One side of
her was fiery red, with jet-black hair and green eyes and the
other side of her was bright yellow, with crimson hair and
black eyes. She wore a short skirt of red and yellow and her
hair, instead of being banged, was a tangle of short curls upon
which rested a circular crown of silver — much dented and
twisted because the Queen had thrown her head at so many
things so many times. Her form was lean and bony and both
her faces were deeply wrinkled.
116
Escaping the Soup-Kettle
"What have we here?" asked the Queen, sharply, as our
friends were made to stand before her.
"Soup I" cried the guard of Scoodlers, speaking together.
"We 're not!" said Dorothy, indignantly; "we 're nothing
of the sort."
"Ah, but you will be soon," retorted the Queen, a grim
smile making her look more dreadful than before.
"Pardon me, most beautiful vision," said the shaggy man,
bowing before the queen politely. "I must request your Se-
rene Highness to let us go our way without being made into
soup. For I own the Love Magnet, and whoever meets me
must love me and all my friends."
"True," replied the Queen. "We love you very much; so
^^7
The Road to Oz
much that we intend to eat your broth with real pleasure.
But tell me, do you think I am so beautiful*?"
"You won't be at all beautiful if you eat me," he said,
shaking his head sadly. "Handsome is as handsome does, you
know."
The Queen turned to Button-Bright.
"Do you think I 'm beautiful *?" she asked.
"No," said the boy; "you 're ugly."
"/ think you 're a fright," said Dorothy.
"If you could see yourself you 'd be terribly scared," ad-
ded Polly.
The Queen scowled at them and flopped from her red
side to her yellow side.
"Take them away," she commanded the guard, "and at six
o'clock run them through the meat chopper and start the soup
kettle boiling. And put plenty of salt in the broth this time,
or I '11 punish the cooks severely."
"Any onions, your Majesty *?" asked one of the guard.
"Plenty of onions and garlic and a dash of red pepper.
Now, go I"
The Scoodlers led the captives away and shut them up in
one of the houses, leaving only a single Scoodler to keep
guard.
The place was a sort of store-house; containing bags of
potatoes and baskets of carrots, onions, and turnips.
118
Escaping the Soup-Kettle
*These," said their guard, pointing to the vegetables, "we
use to flavor our soups with."
The prisoners were rather disheartened by this time, for
they saw no way to escape and did not know how soon it
would be six o'clock and time for the meat-chopper to begin
woi k. But the shaggy man was brave and did not intend to
submit to such a horrid fate without a struggle.
"I 'm going to fight for our lives," he whispered to the
children, "for if I fail we will be no worse off than before, and
to sit here quietly until we are made into soup would be fool-
ish and cowardly."
The Scoodler on guard stood near the doorway, turning
The Road to Oz
first his white side toward them and then his black side, as if
he wanted to show to all of his greedy four eyes the sight of so
many fat prisoners. The captives sat in a sorrowful group at
the other end of the room — except Polychrome, who danced
back and forth in the little place to keep herself warm, for
she felt the chill of the cave. Whenever she approached the
shaggy man he would whisper something in her ear, and Polly
would nod her pretty head as if she understood.
The shaggy man told Dorothy and Button-Bright to stand
before him while he emptied the potatoes out of one of the
sacks. When this had been secretly done little Polychrome,
dancing near to the guard, suddenly reached out her hand
and slapped his face, the next instant whirling away from him
quickly to rejoin her friends.
The angry Scoodler at once picked off his head and hurled
it at the Rainbow's Daughter ; but the shaggy man was expect-
ing that, and caught the head very neatly, putting it in the
sack, which he tied at the mouth. The body of the guard, not
having the eyes of its head to guide it, ran here and there in
an aimless manner, and the shaggy man easily dodged it and
opened the door. Fortunately there was no one in the big
cave at that moment, so he told Dorothy and Polly to run as
fast as they could for the entrance, and out across the narrow
bridge.
120
THE SHAGGY MAN CAUGHT THE HEADS AND TOSSED THEM INTO THE GULF
BEIOW
\7\
The Road to Oz
"I '11 carry Button-Bright," he said, for he knew the lit-
tle boy's legs were too short to run fast.
Dorothy picked up Toto, and then seized Polly's hand
and ran swiftly toward the entrance to the cave. The shaggy
man perched Button-Bright on his shoulders and ran after
them. They moved so quickly and their escape was so wholly
unexpected that they had almost reached the bridge when one
of the Scoodlers looked out of his house and saw them.
The creature raised a shrill cry that brought all its fel-
lows bounding out of the numerous doors, and at once they
started in chase. Dorothy and Polly had reached the bridge
and crossed it when the Scoodlers began throwing their heads.
One of the queer missiles struck the shaggy man on his back
and nearly knocked him over; but he was at the mouth of the
cave now, so he set down Button-Bright and told the boy to
run across the bridge to Dorothy.
Then the shaggy man turned around and faced his ene-
mies, standing just outside the opening, and as fast as thty
threw their heads at him he caught them and tossed them into
the black gulf below. The headless bodies of the foremost
Scoodlers kept the others from running close up, but they
also threw their heads in an effort to stop the escaping pris-
oners. The shaggy man caught them all and sent them whirl-
ing down into the black gulf. Among them he noticed the
122
Escaping the Soup-Kettle
crimson and yellow head of the Queen, and this he tossed after
the others with right good will.
Presently every Scoodler of the lot had thrown its head,
and every head was down in the deep gulf, and now the help-
less bodies of the creatures were mixed together in the cave
and wriggling around in a vain attempt to discover what had
become of their heads. The shaggy man laughed and walked
across the bridge to rejoin his companions.
*It 's lucky I learned to play base-ball when I was young,"
he remarked, "for I caught all those heads easily, and never
missed one. But come along, little ones; the Scoodlers will
never bother us or anyone else any more."
Button-Bright was still frightened and kept insisting, "I
The Road to Oz
don't want to be soup I" for the victory had been gained so
suddenly that the boy could not realize they were free and
safe. But the shaggy man assured him that all danger of
their being made into soup was now past, as the Scoodlers
would be unable to eat soup for some time to come.
So now, anxious to get away from the horrid gloomy cave
as soon as possible, they hastened up the hillside and regained
the road just beyond the place where they had first met the
Scoodlers; and you may be sure they were glad to find their
feet on the old familiar path again.
124
I
"IT 'S getting awful rough walking," said Dorothy, as they
trudged along. Button-Bright gave a deep sigh and said
he was hungry. Indeed, all were hungry, and thirsty, too;
for they had eaten nothing but the apples since breakfast; so
their steps lagged and they grew silent and weary. At last
they slowly passed over the crest of a barren hill and saw be-
fore them a line of green trees with a strip of grass at theii
feet. An agreeable fragrance was wafted toward them.
Our travelers, hot and tired, ran forward on beholding this
refreshing sight and were not long in coming to the trees.
Here they found a spring of pure bubbling water, around
125
The Road to Oz
which the grass was full of wild strawberry plants, their
pretty red berries ripe and ready to eat. Some of the trees
bore yellow oranges and some russet pears, so the hungry ad-
venturers suddenly found themselves provided with plenty to
eat and to drink.
They lost no time in picking the biggest strawberries and
ripest oranges and soon had feasted to their hearts' content.
Walking beyond the line of trees they saw before them a fear-
ful, dismal desert, everywhere grey sand. At the edge of this
awful waste was a large white sign with black letters neatly
painted upon it ; and the letters made these words :
ALL PERSONS ARE WARNED NOT TO
VENTURE UPON THIS DESERT
For the Deadly Sands will Turn Any Living Flesh to Dust in an Instant. Beyond
This Barrier is the
LAND OF OZ
But no one can Reach that Beautiful Country because of these Destroying Sands
'*0h, ' said Dorothy, when the shaggy man had read this
sign aloud; "I 've seen this desert before, and it 's true no
one can live who tries to walk upon the sands."
"Then we must n't try it," answered the shaggy man,
thoughtfully. "But as we can't go ahead and there 's no use
going back, what shall we do next?"
126
Johnny Dooit Does It
"Don't know," said Button-Bright.
"I 'm sure I don't know, either," added Dorothy, despond-
ently.
*'I wish father would come for me," sighed the pretty
Rainbow's Daughter, "I would take you all to live upon the
rainbow, where you could dance along its rays from morning
till night, without a care or worry of any sort. But I suppose
father 's too busy just now to search the world for me."
"Don't want to dance," said Button-Bright, sitting down
wearily upon the soft grass.
"It 's very good of you, Polly," said Dorothy; "but there
are other things that would suit me better than dancing on
127
The Road to Oz
rainbows. I 'm 'fraid they 'd be kind of soft an' squnshy
under foot, anyhow, although they 're so pretty to look at."
This did n't help to solve the problem, and they all fell si-
lent and looked at one another questioningly.
"Really, I don't know what to do," muttered the shaggy
man, gazing hard at Toto ; and the little dog wagged his tail
and said "Bow-wow!'' just as if he could not tell, either, what
to do. Button-Bright got a stick and began to dig in the earth,
and the others watched him for a while in deep thought.
Finally the shaggy snan said :
*Tt 's nearly evening, now; so we may well sleep in this
pretty place and get rested; perhaps by morning we can de-
cide what is best to be done."
There was little chance to make beds for the children, but
the leaves of the trees grew thickly and would serve to keep
off the night dews, so the shaggy man piled soft grasses in
the thickest shade and when it was dark they lay down and
slept peacefully until morning.
Long after the others were asleep, however, the shaggy
man sat in the starlight by the spring, gazing thoughtfully
into its bubbling waters. Suddenly he smiled and nodded to
himself as if he had found a good thought, after which he,
too, laid himself down under a tree and was soon lost in
slumber.
128
The Road to Oz
In the bright morning sunshine, as they ate of the straw-
berries and sweet juicy pears, Dorothy said:
"Polly, can you do any magic?"
"No, dear," answered Polychrome, shaking her dainty
head.
"You ought to know some magic, being the Rainbow's
Daughter," continued Dorothy, earnestly.
"But we who live on the rainbow among the fleecy clouds
have no use for magic," replied Polychrome.
"What I 'd like," said Dorothy, "is to find some way to
cross the desert to the Land of Oz and its Emerald City. Tve
crossed it already, you know, more than once. First a cyclone
carried my house over, and some Silver Shoes brought me
back again — in half a second. Then Ozma took me over on
her Magic Carpet, and the Nome King's Magic Belt took me
home that time. You see it was magic that did it every time
'cept the first, and we can't 'spect a cyclone to happen along
and take us to the Emerald City now."
"No, indeed," returned Polly, with a shudder; "I hate
cyclones, anyway."
That 's why I wanted to find out if you could do any
magic," said the little Kansas girl. "I 'm sure I can't; and
I 'm sure Button-Bright can't; and the only magic the shaggy
man has is the Love Magnet, which won't help us much."
"Don't be too sure of that, my dear," spoke the shaggy
130
Johnny Dooit Does It
man, a smile on his donkey face. "I may not be able to do
magic myself, but I can call to us a powerful friend who loves
me because I own the Love Magnet, and this friend surely
will be able to help us."
"Who is your friend T' asked Dorothy.
"Johnny Dooit."
"What can Johnny dor'
"Anything," answered the shaggy man, with confidence.
"Ask him to come," she exclaimed, eagerly.
The shaggy man took the Love Magnet from his pocket
and unwrapped the paper that surrounded it. Holding the
charm in the palm of his hand he looked at it steadily and
said these words :
''Dear Johnny Dooit, come to me,
I need you bad as bad can beT
"Well, here I am," said a cheery little voice; "but you
should n't say you need me bad, 'cause I 'm always, always
good."
At this they quickly whirled around to find a funny little
man sitting on a big copper chest, puffing smoke from a long
pipe. His hair was grey, his whiskers were grey; and these
whiskers were so long that he had wound the ends of them
around his waist and tied them in a hard knot underneath the
leather apron that reached from his chin nearly to his feet,
131
The Road to Oz
and which was soiled and scratched as if it had been used a
long time. His nose was broad, and stuck up a little; but
his eyes were twinkling and merry. The little man's hands
and arms were as hard and tough as the leather in his apron,
and Dorothy thought Johnny Dooit looked as if he had done
a lot of hard work in his lifetime.
*'Good morning, Johnny," said the shaggy man. "Thank
you for coming to me so quickly."
"I never waste time," said the newcomer, promptly. "But
what's happened to you? Where did you get that donkey
head? Really, I would n't have known you at all, Shaggy
Man, if I had n't looked at your feet."
132
Johnny Dooit Does It
The shaggy man introduced Johnny Dooit to Dorothy and
Toto and Button-Bright and the Rainbow's Daughter, and
told him the story of their adventures, adding that they were
anxious now to reach the Emerald City in the Land of Oz,
where Dorothy had friends who would take care of them and
send them safe home again.
"But," said he, 'Ve find that we can't cross this desert,
which turns all living flesh that touches it into dust; so I have
asked you to come and help us."
Johnny Dooit puffed his pipe and looked carefully at the
dreadful desert in front of them — stretching so far away
they could not see its end.
"You must ride," he said, briskly.
"What in?" asked the shaggy man.
"In a sand-boat, which has runners like a sled and sails
like a ship. The wind will blow you swiftly across the desert
and the sand cannot touch your flesh to turn it into dust."
"Good !"' cried Dorothy, clapping her hands delightedly.
"That was the way the Magic Carpet took us across. We
did n't have to touch the horrid sand at all."
"But where is the sand-boat?" asked the shaggy man,
looking all around him.
"I '11 make you one," said Johnny Dooit.
As he spoke he knocked the ashes from his pipe and put it
in his pocket. Then he unlocked the copper chest and lifted
133
The Road to Oz
the lid, and Dorothy saw it was full of shining tools of all
sorts and shapes.
Johnny Dooit moved quickly now — so quickly that they
were astonished at the work he was able to accomplish. He
had in his chest a tool for everything he wanted to do, and
these must have been magic tools because they did their work
so fast and so well.
The man hummed a little song as he worked, and Dorothy
tried to listen to it. She thought the words were something
like these:
T!he only way to do a thing
Is do it when you can^
And do it cheerfully^ and sing
And work and think and plan,
^he only real unhappy one
Is he who dares to shirk;
'The only really happy one
Is he who cares to work.
Whatever Johnny Dooit was singing he was certainly do-
ing things, and they all stood by and watched him in amaze-
ment.
He seized an axe and in a couple of chops felled a tree.
Next he took a saw and in a few minutes sawed the tree-trunk
into broad long boards. He then nailed the boards together
134
Johnny Dooit Does It
into the shape of a boat, about twelve feet long and four
feet wide. He cut from another tree a long, slender pole
which, when trimmed of its branches and fastened upright
in the center of the boat, served as a mast. From the chest
he drew a coil of rope and a big bundle of canvas, and with
these — still humming his song — he rigged up a sail, arrang-
ing it so it could be raised or lowered upon the mast.
Dorothy fairly gasped with wonder to see the thing grow
so speedily before her eyes, and both Button-Bright and Polly
looked on with the same absorbed interest.
"It ought to be painted," said Johnny Dooit, tossing his
tools back into the chest, "for that would make it look pret-
i35
The Road to Oz
tier. But 'though I can paint it for you in three seconds it
would take an hour to dry, and that 's a waste of time."
*'We don't care how it looks," said the shaggy man, "if
only it will take us across the desert."
"It will do that," declared Johnny Dooit. "All you need
worry about is tipping over. Did you ever sail a ship?"
"I 've seen one sailed," said the shaggy man.
"Good. Sail this boat the way you 've seen a ship sailed,
and you '11 be across the sands before you know it."
With this he slammed down the lid of the chest, and the
noise made them all wink. While they were winking the
workman disappeared, tools and all.
136
"OH, that 's too bad!" cried Dorothy; "I wanted to thank
Johnny Dooit for all his kindness to us."
"He has n't time to listen to thanks," replied the shaggy
man; "but I 'm sure he knows we are grateful. I suppose
he is already at work in some other part of the world."
They now looked more carefully at the sand-boat, and
saw that the bottom was modelled with two sharp runners
which would glide through the sand. The front of the sand-
boat was pointed like the bow of a ship, and there was a rud-
der at the stern to steer by.
It had been built just at the edge of the desert, so that all
137
The Road to Oz
its length lay upon the grey sand except the after part, which
still rested on the strip of grass.
*'Get in, my dears," said the shaggy man; "I 'm sure I can
manage this boat as well as any sailor. All you need do is
sit still in your places."
Dorothy got in, Toto in her arms, and sat on the bottom of
the boat just in front of the mast. Button-Bright sat in front
of Dorothy, while Polly leaned over the bow. The shaggy
man knelt behind the mact* When all were ready he raised
the sail half way. The wind caught it. At once the sand-
boat started forward — slowly at first, then with added speed.
The shaggy man pulled the sail way up, and they flew so
138
The Deadly Desert Crossed
fast over the Deadly Desert that every one held fast to the
sides of the boat and scarcely dared to breathe.
The sand lay in billows, and was in places very uneven,
so that the boat rocked dangerously from side to side ; but it
never quite tipped over, and the speed was so great that the
shaggy man himself became frightened and began to wonder
how he could make the ship go slower.
"If we 're spilled in this sand, in the middle of the desert,"
Dorothy thought to herself, "we '11 be nothing but dust in a
few minutes, and that will be the end of us."
But they were not spilled, and by-and-bye Polychrome,
who was clinging to the bow and looking straight ahead, saw
a dark line before them and wondered what it was. It grew
plainer every second, until she discovered it to be a row of
jagged rocks at the end of the desert, while high above these
rocks she could see a tableland of green grass and beautiful
trees.
"Look out!" she screamed to the shaggy man. "Go slow-
ly, or we shall smash into the rocks."
He heard her, and tried to pull down the sail; but the
wind would not let go of the broad canvas and the ropes had
become tangled.
Nearer and nearer they drew to the great rocks, and the
shaggy man was in despair because he could do nothing to
stop the wild rush of the sand-boat.
139
•LOOKOUTI" SCREAMED POLYCHROME
140
The Deadly Desert Crossed
They reached the edge of the desert and bumped squarely
into the rocks. There was a crash as Dorothy, Button-Bright,
Toto and Polly flew up in the air in a curve like a skyrocket's,
one after another landing high upon the grass, where they
rolled and tumbled for a time before they could stop them-
selves.
The shaggy man flew after them, head first, and lighted in
a heap beside Toto, who, being much excited at the time,
seized one of the donkey ears between his teeth and shook and
worried it as hard as he could, growling angrily. The shaggy
man made the little dog let go, and sat up to look around
him.
Dorothy was feeling one of her front teeth, which was
loosened by knocking against her knee as she fell. Polly was
looking sorrowfully at a rent in her pretty gauze gown, and
Button-Bright' s fox head had stuck fast in a gopher hole and
he was wiggling his little fat legs frantically in an effort to
get free.
Otherwise they were unhurt by the adventure; so the
shaggy man stood up and pulled Button-Bright out of the
hole and went to the edge of the desert to look at the sand-
boat. It was a mere mass of splinters now, crushed out of
shape against the rocks. The wind had torn away the sail
and carried it to the top of a tall tree, where the fragments of
it fluttered like a white flag.
141
The Road to Oz
"Well," he said, cheerfully, "we 're here; but where the
here is I don't know."
"It must be some part of the Land of Oz," observed Doro-
thy, coming to his side.
"Must itr
" 'Course it must. We 're across the desert, are n't we?
And somewhere in the middle of Oz is the Emerald City."
"To be sure," said the shaggy man, nodding. "Let 's go
there."
"But I don't see any people about, to show us the way,"
she continued.
"Let 's hunt for them," he suggested. "There must be
people somewhere; but perhaps they did not expect us, and
so are not at hand to give us a welcome."
^^ ^rif.u
\x%
THEY now made a more careful examination of the coun-
try around them. All was fresh and beautiful after the sultri-
ness of the desert, and the sunshine and sweet, crisp air were
delightful to the wanderers. Little mounds of yellowish
green were away at the right, while on the left waved a group
of tall leafy trees bearing yellow blossoms that looked like
tassels and pompoms. Among the grasses carpeting the
ground were pretty buttercups and cowslips and marigolds.
After looking at these a moment Dorothy said reflectively :
"We must be in the Country of the Winkles, for the color
of that country is yellow, and you will notice that 'most every-
thing here is yellow that has any color at all."
H3
The Road to Oz
*'But I thought this was the Land of Oz," replied the
thaggy man, as if greatly disappointed.
"So it is," she declared; "but there are four parts to the
Land of Oz. The North Country is purple, and it 's the
Country of the Gillikins. The East country is blue, and
that 's the Country of the Munchkins. Down at the South is
the red Country of the Quadlings, and here, in the West, the
yellow Country of the Winkies. This is the part that is ruled
by the Tin Woodman, you know."
"Who 's he?" asked Button-Bright.
"Why, he 's the tin man I told you about. His name is
Nick Chopper, and he has a lovely heart given him by the
wonderful Wizard."
"Where does he live?" asked the boy.
"The Wizard? Oh, he lives in the Emerald City, which
is just in the middle of Oz, where the corners of the four
countries meet."
"Oh," said Button-Bright, puzzled by this explanation.
"We must be some distance from the Emerald City," re-
marked the shaggy man.
"That 's true," she replied: "so we 'd better start on ?nd
see if we can find any of the Winkies. They 're nice people,"
she continued, as the little party began walking toward the
group of trees, "and I came here once with my friends the
Scarecrow, and the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion,
144
The Truth Pond
to fight a wicked witch who had made all the Winkies her
slaves."
"Did you conquer her?" asked Polly.
"Why, I melted her with a bucket of water, and that was
the end of her," replied Dorothy. "After that the people
were free, you know, and they made Nick Chopper — that 's
the Tin Woodman — their Emp'ror."
"What 's that?" asked Button-Bright.
"Emp'ror? Oh, it 's something like an alderman, I
guess."
"Oh," said the boy.
"But I thought Princess Ozma ruled Oz," said the shaggy
man.
The Road to Oz
"So she does ; she rules the Emerald City and all the four
countries of Oz; but each country has another little ruler, not
so big as Ozma. It 's like the officers of an army, you see ; the
little rulers are all captains, and Ozma's the general.''
By this time they had reached the trees, which stood in a
perfect circle and just far enough apart so that their thick
branches touched — or "shook hands," as Button-Bright re-
marked. Under the shade of the trees they found, in the cen-
ter of the circle, a crystal pool, its water as still as glass. It
must have been deep, too, for when Polychrome bent over it
she gave a little sigh of pleasure.
"Why, it 's a mirror I" she cried; for she could see all her
pretty face and fluffy, rainbow-tinted gown reflected in the
pool, as natural as life.
Dorothy bent over, too, and began to arrange her hair,
blown by the desert wind into straggling tangles. Button-
Bright leaned over the edge next, and then began to cry, for
the sight of his fox head frightened the poor little fellow.
"I guess I won't look," remarked the shaggy man, sadly,
for he did n't like his donkey head, either. While Polly and
Dorothy tried to comfort Button-Bright, the shaggy man sat
down near the edge of the pool, where his image could not be
reflected, and stared at the water thoughtfully. As he did this
he noticed a silver plate fastened to a rock just under the sur-
146
The Truth Pond
face of the water, and on the silver plate was engraved these
words :
"Ah!" cried tne shaggy man, springing to his feet with eager
joy; "we 've found it at last."
"Found what?" asked Dorothy, running to him.
"The Truth Pond. Now, at last, I may get rid of this
frightful head; for we were told, you remember, that only
the Truth Pond could restore to me my proper face."
"Me, too!" shouted Button-Bright, trotting up to them.
"Of course," said Dorothy. "It will cure you both of
your bad heads, I guess. Is n't it lucky we found it*?"
The Road to Oz
"It is, indeed," replied the shaggy man. "I hated dread-
fully to go to Princess Ozma looking like this; and she *s to
have a birthday celebration, too."
Just then a splash startled them, for Button-Bright, in
his anxiety to see the pool that would "cure" him, had stepped
too near the edge and tumbled heels over head into the water.
Down he went, out of sight entirely, so that only his sailor hat
floated on the top of the Truth Pond.
He soon bobbed up, and the shaggy man seized him by
his sailor collar and dragged him to the shore, dripping and
gasping for breath. They all looked upon the boy wonder-
ingly, for the fox head with its sharp nose and pointed ears
was gone, and in its place appeared the chubby round face
and blue eyes and pretty curls that had belonged to Button-
Bright before King Dox of Foxville transformed him.
"Oh, what a darling!" cried Polly, and would have hug-
ged the little one had he not been so wet.
Their joyful exclamations made the child rub the water
out of his eyes and look at his friends questioningly.
"You 're all right now, dear," said Dorothy. "Come and
look at yourself." She led him to the pool, and although
there were still a few ripples on the surface of the water he
could see his reflection plainly.
"It 's me !" he said, in a pleased yet awed whisper.
148
THE SHAGGY MAN'S OWN HEAD RESTORED
•49
The Road to Oz
" 'Course it is," replied the girl; "and we 're all as glad as
you are, Button-Bright."
"Well," announced the shaggy man, "it 's my turn next."
He took off his shaggy coat and laid it on the grass and dived
head first into the Truth Pond.
When he came up the donkey head had disappeared, and
the shaggy man's own shaggy head was in its place, with the
water dripping in little streams from his shaggy whiskers. He
scrambled ashore and shook himself to get off some of the wet,
and then leaned over the pool to look admiringly at his re-
flected face.
The Truth Pond
"I may not be strictly beautiful, even now," he said to his
companions, who watched him with smiling faces; "but I *m
so much handsomer than any donkey that I feel as proud as I
can be."
"You 're all right, Shaggy Man," declared Dorothy
"And Button-Bright is all right, too. So let 's thank the
Truth Pond for being so nice, and start on our journey to the
Emerald City."
"I hate to leave it," murmured the shaggy man, with a
sigh. "A truth pond would n't be a bad thing to carry around
with us." But he put on his coat and started with the others
in search of some one to direct them on their way.
Ki
THEY had not walked far across the flower-strewn mead-
ows when they came upon a fine road leading toward the
northwest and winding gracefully among the pretty yellow
hills.
"That way," said Dorothy, "must be the direction of the
Emerald City. We 'd better follow the road until we meet
some one or come to a house."
The sun soon dried Button-Bright's sailor suit and the
shaggy man's shaggy clothes, and so pleased were they at re-
gaining their own heads that they did not mind at M. the
brief discomfort of getting wet.
152
Tik-Tok and Billina
"It 's good to be able to whistle again," remarked the
shaggy man, "for those donkey lips were so thick I could not
whistle a note with them." He warbled a tune as merrily
as any bird.
"You '11 look more natural at the birthday celebration,
too," said Dorothy, happy in seeing her friends so happy.
Polychrome was dancing ahead in her usual sprightly
manner, whirling gaily along the smooth, level road, until
she passed from sight around the curve of one of the mounds.
Suddenly they heard her exclaim "Oh!" and she appeared
again, running toward them at full speed.
"What 's the matter, Polly?" asked Dorothy, perplexed.
There was no need for the Rainbow's Daughter to an-
swer, for turning the bend in the road there came advancing
slowly toward them a funny round man made of burnished
copper, gleaming brightly in the sun. Perched on the copper
man's shoulder sat a yellow hen, with fluffy feathers and a
pearl necklace around her throat.
"Oh, Tik-tokl" cried Dorothy, running forward. When
she came to him the copper man lifted the little girl in his
copper arms and kissed her cheek with his copper lips.
"Oh, Billina !" cried Dorothy, in a glad voice, and the yel-
low hen flew to her arms, to be hugged and petted by turns.
The others were curiously crowding around the group,
and the girl said to them :
153
The Road to Oz
"It 's Tik-tok and Billina; and oh 1 1 'm so glad to see them
again."
"Wel-come to Oz," said the copper man, in a monotonous
voice.
Dorothy sat right down in the road, the yellow hen in her
arms, and began to stroke Billina's back. Said the hen :
"Dorothy, dear, I 've some wonderful news to tell you."
"Tell it quick, Billina I" said the girl.
Just then Toto, who had been growling to himself in a
cross way gave a sharp bark and flew at the yellow hen, who
ruffled her feathers and let out such an angry screech that
Dorothy was startled.
"Stop, Toto! Stop that this minute!" she commanded.
"Can't you see that Billina is my friend^" In spite of this
154
Tik-Tok and Billina
warning had she not grabbed Toto quickly by the neck the lit-
tle dog would have done the yellow hen a mischief, and even
now he struggled madly to escape Dorothy's grasp. She
slapped his ears once or twice and told him to behave, and the
yellow hen flew to Tik-tok's shoulder again, where she was
safe.
"What a brute I" croaked Billina, glaring down at the lit-
tle dog.
"Toto is n't a brute," replied Dorothy: "but at home
Uncle Henry has to whip him sometimes for chasing the
chickens. Now, look here, Toto," she added, holding up her
finger and speaking sternly to him, "you 've got to understand
that Billina is one of my dearest friends, and must n't be
hurt — now or ever."
Toto wagged his tail as if he understood.
"The miserable thing can't talk," said Billina, with a
sneer.
"Yes, he can," replied Dorothy; "he talks with his tail,
and I know everything he says. If you could wag your tail,
Billina, you would n't need words to talk with."
"Nonsense I" said Billina.
"It is n*t nonsense at all. Just now Toto says he 's sorry,
and that he '11 try to love you for my sake. Don't you, Toto?'*
"Bow-wow!" said Toto, wagging his tail again.
The Road to Oz
"But I 've such wonderful news for you, Dorothy," cried
the yellow hen; "I 've "
^ 'Wait a minute, dear," interrupted the little girl; "I 've
got to introduce you all, first. That 's manners, Billina.
This," turning to her traveling companions, **is Mr. Tik-tok,
who works by machinery, 'cause his thoughts wind up, and his
talk winds up, and his action winds up — like a clock."
"Do they all wind up together?" asked the shaggy man.
"No; each one separate. But he works just lovely, and
Tik-tok was a good friend to me once, and saved my life —
and Billina's life, too."
"Is he alive?" asked Button-Bright, looking hard at the
copper man.
"Oh, no, but his machinery makes him just as good as
alive." She turned to the copper man and said politely : "Mr.
Tik-tok, these are my new friends: the shaggy man, and
Polly the Rainbow's Daughter, and Button-Bright, and Toto.
Only Toto is n't a new friend, 'cause he 's been to Oz be-
fore."
The copper man bowed low, removing his copper hat as he
did so.
"I 'm ve-ry pleased to meet Dor-o-thy's f r-r-r-r-r "
Here he stopped short.
"Oh, I guess his speech needs winding!" said the little
girl, running behind the copper man to get the key off a hook
LC6
p
Tik-Tok and Billina
at his back. She wound him up at a place under his right arm
and he went on to say :
"Par-don me for run-ning down. I was a-bout to say I am
pleased to meet Dor-o-thy's friends, who must be my friends.'*
The words were somewhat jerky, but plain to understand.
"And this is Billina," continued Dorothy, introducing the
yellow hen, and they all bowed to her in turn.
"I 've such wonderful news," said the hen, turning her
head so that one bright eye looked full at Dorothy.
"What is it, dear?" asked the girl.
"I 've hatched out ten of the loveliest chicks you ever
saw."
"Oh, how nice I And where are they, Billina?"
"I left them at home. But they 're beauties, I assure you,
and all wonderfully clever. I 've named them Dorothy."
"Which one?" asked the girl.
"All of them," replied Billina.
"That 's funny. Why did you name them all with the
same name?"
"It was so hard to tell them apart," explained the hen.
"Now, when I call 'Dorothy,' they all come running to me in
a bunch; it 's much easier, after all, than having a separate
name for each."
"I 'm just dying to see 'em, Billina," said Dorothy, eag-
erly. "But tell me, my friends, how did you happen to be
157
The Road to Oz
here, in the Country of the Winkles, the first of all to meet
usT
"I'll tell you," answered Tik-tok, in his monotonous voice,
all the sounds of his words being on one level — "Prin-cess
Oz-ma saw you in her mag-ic pic-ture, and knew you were
com-ing here; so she sent Bil-lin-a and me to wel-come you,
as she could not come her-self ; so that — fiz-i-dig-le cum-so-
lut-ing hy-ber-gob-ble in-tu-zib-ick "
"Good gracious! Whatever 's the matter now^" cried
Dorothy, as the copper man continued to babble these un-
meaning words, which no one could understand at all because
they had no sense.
"Don't know," said Button-Bright, who was half scared.
Polly whirled away to a distance and turned to look at the
copper man in a fright.
Tik-Tok and Billina
''His thoughts have run down, this time," remarked Bil-
lina composedly, as she sat on Tik-tok's shoulder and pruned
her sleek feathers. "When he can't think he can't talk prop-
erly, any more than you can. You '11 have to wind up his
thoughts, Dorothy, or else I'll have to finish his story myself."
Dorothy ran around and got the key again and wound up
Tik-tok under his left arm, after which he could speak plainly
again.
'Tar-don me," he said, "but when my thoughts run down
my speech has no mean-ing, for words are formed on-ly by
thought. I was a-bout to say that Oz-ma sent us to wel-come
you and in-vite you to come straight to the Em-er-ald Ci-ty.
She was too bus-y to come her-self, for she is pre-par-ing for
her birth-day cel-e-bra-tion, which is to be a grand af-fair."
"I 've heard of it," said Dorothy, "and I 'm glad we 've
come in time to attend. Is it far from here to the Emerald
City?'
"Not ve-ry far," answered Tik-tok, "and we have plen-ty
of time. To-night we will stop at the pal-ace of the Tin
Wood-man, and to-mor-row night we will ar-rive at the Em-
er-ald Ci-ty."
"Goody!" cried Dorothy. "I 'd like to see dear Nick
Chopper again. How 's his hearth"
"It 's fine," said Billina; "the Tin Woodman says it gets
softer and kindlier every day. He 's waiting at his castle to
159
The Road to Oz
welcome you, Dorothy; but he could n't come with us be-
cause he 'is getting polished as bright as possible for Ozma's
party."
''Well, then," said Dorothy, "let 's start on, and we can
talk more as we go."
They proceeded on their journey in a friendly group, for
Polychrome had discovered that the copper man was harmless
and was no longer afraid of him. Button-Bright was also
reassured, and took quite a fancy to Tik-tok. He wanted the
clockwork man to open himself, so the he might see the wheels
go round; but that was a thing Tik-tok could not do. But-
ton-Bright then wanted to wind up the copper man, and
Dorothy promised he should do so as soon as any part of the
machinery ran down. This pleased Button-Bright, who held
fast to one of Tik-tok' s copper hands as he trudged along the
road, while Dorothy walked on the other side of her old friend
and Billina perched by turns upon his shoulder or his copper
hat. Polly once more joyously danced ahead and Toto ran
after her, barking with glee. The shaggy man was left to
walk behind; but he did n't seem to mind that a bit, and
whistled merrily or looked curiously upon the pretty scenes
they passed.
At last they came to a hilltop from which the tin castle
of Nick Chopper could plainly be seen, its towers glistening
magnificently under the rays of the declining sun.
160
Tik-Tok and Billina
"How pretty I" exclaimed Dorothy. "I 've never seen
the Emp'ror's new house before."
"He built it because the old castle was damp, and likely
to rust his tin body," said Billina. "All those towers and
steeples and domes and gables took a lot of tin, as you can
see."
"Is it a toy*?" asked Button-Bright, softly.
"No, dear," answered Dorothy; "it 's better than that.
It 's the fairy dwelling of a fairy prince."
j6i
THE grounds around Nick Chopper's new house were laid
out in pretty flower-beds, with fountains of crystal water and
statues of tin representing the Emperor's personal friends.
Dorothy was astonished and delighted to find a tin statue
of herself standing on a tin pedestal at a bend in the avenue
leading up to the entrance. It was life-size and showed
her in her sunbonnet with her basket on her arm, just as she
had first appeared in the Land of Oz.
"Oh, Toto — you 're there too!" she exclaimed; and sure
enough there was the tin figure of Toto lying at the tin Dor-
othy's feet.
162
The Emperor's Tin Castle
Also Dorothy saw figures of the Scarecrow, and the Wiz-
ard, and Ozma, and of many others, including Tik-tok. They
reached the grand tin entrance to the tin castle, and the Tin
Woodman himself came running out of the door to embrace
r
little Dorothy and give her a glad welcome. He welcomed
her friends as well, and the Rainbow's Daughter he declared
to be the loveliest vision his tin eyes had ever beheld. He
patted Button-Bright' s curly head tenderly, for he was fond
of children, and turned to the shaggy man and shook both his
hands at the same time.
Nick Chopper, the Emperor of the Winkies, who was
also known throughout the Land of Oz as the Tin Wood-
man, was certainly a remarkable person. He was neatly
163
The Road to Oz
made, all of tin, nicely soldered at the joints, and his various
limbs were cleverly hinged to his body so that he could use
them nearly as well as if they had been common flesh. Once,
he told the shaggy man, he had been made all of flesh and
bones, as others people are, and then he chopped wood in the
forests to earn his living. But the axe slipped so often and
cut off parts of him — which he had replaced with tin —
that finally there was no flesh left, nothing but tin ; so he be-
came a real tin woodman. The wonderful Wizard of Oz had
given him an excellent heart to replace his old one, and he
did n't at all mind being tin. Every one loved him, he loved
every one ; and he was therefore as happy as the day was long.
The Emperor was proud of his new tin castle, and showed
his visitors through all the rooms. Every bit of the furniture
was made of brightly polished tin — the tables, chairs, beds,
and all — even the floors and walls were of tin.
"I suppose," said he, "that there are no cleverer tinsmiths
in all the world than the Winkles. It would be hard to match
this castle in Kansas; would n't it, little Dorothy'?"
"Very hard," replied the child, gravely.
"It must have cost a lot of money," remarked the shaggy
man.
"Money I Money in Oz!" cried the Tin Woodman.
"What a queer idea ! Did you suppose we are so vulgar as
to use money here*?"
164
The Emperor's Tin Castle
"Why not^" asked the shaggy man.
"If we used money to buy things with, instead of love
and kindness and the desire to please one another, then we
should be no better than the rest of the world," declared the
Tin Woodman. "Fortunately money is not known in the
Land of Oz at all. We have no rich, and no poor; for what
one wishes the others all try to give him, in order to make
him happy, and no one in all Oz cares to have more than he
can use."
"Good!" cried the shaggy man, greatly pleased to hear
this. "I also despise money — a man in Butterfield owes me
fifteen cents, and I will not take it from him. The Land
of Oz is surely the most favored land in all the world, and
its people the happiest. I should like to live here always."
The Tin Woodman listened with respectful attention.
Already he loved the shaggy man, although he did not yet
know of the Love Magnet. So he said :
"If you can prove to the Princess Ozma that you are hon-
est and true and worthy of our friendship, you may indeed
live here all your days, and be as happy as we are."
"I '11 try to prove that," said the shaggy man, earnestly.
"And now," continued the Emperor, "you must all go to
your rooms and prepare for dinner, which will presently be
served in the grand tin dining-hall. I am sorry. Shaggy Man,
165
The Road to Oz
that I can not offer you a change of clothing ; but I dress only
in tin, myself, and I suppose that would not suit you."
*'I care little about dress," said the shaggy man, indiffer-
ently.
"So I should imagine," replied the Emperor, with true
politeness.
They were shown to their rooms and permitted to make
such toilets as they could, and soon they assembled again in
the grand tin dining-hall, even Toto being present. For the
Emperor was fond of Dorothy's little dog, and the girl ex-
plained to her friends that in Oz all animals were treated
with as much consideration as the people — "if they behave
themselves," she added.
Toto behaved himself, and sat in a tin high-chair beside
Dorothy and ate his dinner from a tin platter.
Indeed, they all ate from tin dishes, but these were of
pretty shapes and brightly polished; Dorothy thought they
were just as good as silver.
Button-Bright looked curiously at the man who had "no
appetite inside him," for the Tin Woodman, although he
had prepared so fine a feast for his guests, ate not a mouth-
ful himself, sitting patiently in his place to see that all built
so they could eat were well and plentifully served.
What pleased Button-Bright most about the dinner was
the tin orchestra that played sweet music while the company
166
»67
POLYCHROME OANOO: ^<*<T^PU!I*V 3:0 THE MUSIC
The Road to Oz
ate. The players were not tin, being just ordinary Winkies;
but the instruments they played upon were all tin — tin
trumpets, tin fiddles, tin drums and cymbals and flutes and
horns and all. They played so nicely the "Shining Emperor
Waltz," composed expressly in honor of the Tin Woodman
by Mr. H. M. Wogglebug, T. E., that Polly could not re-
sisting dancing to it. After she had tasted a few dewdrops,
freshly gathered for her, she danced gracefully to the music
while the others finished their repast; and when she whirled
until her fleecy draperies of rainbow hues enveloped her like
a cloud, the Tin Woodman was so delighted that he clapped
his tin hands until the noise of them drowned the sound of
the cymbals.
Altogether it was a merry meal, although Polychrome
ate little and the host nothing at all.
"I 'm sorry the Rainbow's Daughter missed her mist-
cakes," said the Tin Woodman to Dorothy; "but by a mis-
take Miss Polly's mist-cakes were mislaid and not missed un-
til now. I '11 try to have some for her breakfast."
They spent the evening telling stories, and the next morn-
ing left the splendid tin castle and set out upon the road to
the Emerald City. The Tin Woodman went with them, of
course, having by this time been so brightly polished that he
sparkled like silver. His axe, which he always carried with
him, had a steel blade that was tin plated and a handle
168
The Emperor's Tin Castle
covered with tin plate beautifully engraved and set with
diamonds.
The Winkies assembled before the castle gates and
cheered their Emperor as he marched away, and it was easy
to see that they all loved him dearly.
169
DOROTHY let Button-Bright wind up the clock-work in
the copper man this morning — his thinking machine first,
then his speech, and finally his action ; so he would doubtless
run perfectly until they had reached the Emerald City. The
copper man and the tin man were good friends, and not so
much alike as you might think. For one was alive and the
other moved by means of machinery; one was tall and angu-
lar and the other short and round. You could love the Tin
Woodman because he had a fine nature, kindly and simple;
but the machine man you could only admire without loving,
since to love such a thing as he was as impossible as to love
170
Visiting the Pumpkin-Field
a sewing-machine or an automobile. Yet Tik-tok was popu-
lar with the people of Oz because he was so trustworthy, re-
liable and true ; he was sure to do exactly what he was wound
up to do, at all times and in all circumstances. Perhaps it
is better to be a machine that does its duty than a flesh-and-
blood person who will not, for a dead truth is better than a
live falsehood.
About noon the travelers reached a large field of pump-
kins — a vegetable quite appropriate to the yellow country
of the Winkles — and some of the pumpkins which grew
there were of remarkable size. Just before they entered upon
this field they saw three little mounds that looked like graves,
with a pretty headstone to each one of them.
*'What is this*?" asked Dorothy, in wonder.
171
The Road to Oz
"It 's Jack Pumpkinhead's private graveyard," replied
the Tin Woodman.
"But I thought nobody ever died in Oz," she said.
"Nor do they; although if one is bad, he may be con-
demned and killed by the good citizens," he answered.
Dorothy ran over to the little graves and read the words
engraved upon the tombstones. The first one said:
Here Lies the Mortal Part of
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Which Spoiled April 9th.
She then went to the next stone, which read
Here Lies the Mortal Part of
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Which Spoiled October 2nd.
On the third stone were carved these words:
Here Lies the Mortal Part of
JACK PUMPKINHEAD
Which Spoiled January 24th.
"Poor Jack I" sighed Dorothy. "I 'm sorry he had to die
in three parts, for I hoped to see him again."
"So you shall," declared the Tin Woodman, "since he is
still alive. Come with me to his house, for Jack is now a
farmer and lives in this very pumpkin field."
172
Visiting the Pumpkin-Field
They walked over to a monstrous big, hollow pumpkin
which had a door and windows cut through the rind. There
was a stovepipe running through the stem, and six steps had
been built leading up to the front door.
They walked up to this door and looked in. Seated on a
bench was a man clothed in a spotted shirt, a red vest, and
faded blue trousers, whose body was merely sticks of wood,
jointed clumsily together. On his neck was set a round, yel-
low pumpkin, with a face carved on it such as a boy often
carves on a jack-lantern.
This queer man was engaged in snapping slippery pump-
kin-seeds with his wooden fingers, trying to hit a target on
the other side of the room with them. He did not know he
had visitors until Dorothy exclaimed :
"Why, it 's Jack Pumpkinhead himself!"
He turned and saw them, and at once came forward to
greet the little Kansas girl and Nick Chopper, and to be in-
troduced to their new friends.
Button-Bright was at first rather shy with the quaint
Pumpkinhead, but Jack's face was so jolly and smiling —
being carved that way — that the boy soon grew to like him.
"I thought, a while ago, that you were buried in three
parts," said Dorothy; "but now I see you 're just the same as
ever.
"Not quite the same, my dear, for my mouth is a little
173
The Road to Oz
more one-sided than it used to be; but pretty nearly the same.
I 've a new head, and this is the fourth one I Ve owned since
Ozma first made me and brought me to life by sprinkling me
with the Magic Powder."
"What became of the other heads, JackT'
"They spoiled and I buried them, for they were not even
fit for pies. Each time Ozma has carved me a new head just
like the old one, and as my body is by far the largest part of
me I am still Jack Pumpkinhead, no matter how often I
change my upper end. Once we had a dreadful time to find
another pumpkin, as they were out of season, and so I was
obliged to wear my old head a little longer than was strictly
healthy. But after this sad experience I resolved to raise
pumpkins myself, so as never to be caught again without one
handy; and now I have this fine field that you see before you.
Some grow pretty big — too big to be used for heads — so I
dug out this one and use it for a house."
"Is n't it damp'?" asked Dorothy.
"Not very. There is n't much left but the shell, you see,
and it will last a long time yet."
"I think you are brighter than you used to be. Jack," said
the Tin Woodman. "Your last head was a stupid one."
"The seeds in this one are better," was the reply.
"Are you going to Ozma's party?' asked Dorothy-
"Yes," said he; "I would n't miss it for anything. Oz-
174
Visiting the Pumpkin-Field
ma 's my parent, you know, because she built my body and
carved my pumpkin head. I '11 follow you to the Emerald
City to-morrow, where we shall meet again. I can't go to-day,
because I have to plant fresh pumpkin-seeds and water the
young vines. But give my love to Ozma, and tell her I '11 be
there in time for the jubilation."
*'We will," she promised ; and then they all left him and
resumed their journey.
175
THE neat yellow houses of the Winkles were now to be seen
standing here and there along the roadway, giving the coun-
try a more cheerful and civilized look. They were farm-
houses, though, and set far apart; for in the Land of Oz there
were no towns or villages except the magnificent Emerald
City in its center.
Hedges of evergreen or of yellow roses bordered the broad
highway and the farms showed the care of their industrious
inhabitants. The nearer the travelers came to the great city
the more prosperous the country became, and they crossed
many bridges over the sparkling streams and rivulets that
watered the lands.
176
The Royal Chariot Arrives
As they walked leisurely along the shaggy man said to
the Tin Woodman :
"What sort of a Magic Powder was it, that made your
friend the Pumpkinhead live?"
"It was called the Powder of Life," was the answer; "and
it was invented by a crooked Sorcerer who lived in the moun-
tains of the North Country. A Witch named Mombi got
some of this powder from the crooked Sorcerer and took it
home with her. Ozma lived with the Witch then, for it was
before she became our Princess, while Mombi had trans-
formed her into the shape of a boy. Well, while Mombi was
gone to the crooked Sorcerer's, the boy made this pumpkin-
headed man to amuse himself, and also with the hope of
frightening the Witch with it when she returned. But
Mombi was not scared, and she sprinkled the Pumpkinhead
with her Magic Powder of Life, to see if the Powder would
work. Ozma was watching, and saw the Pumpkinhead
come to life; so that night she took the pepper-box contain-
ing the Powder and ran away with it and with Jack, in search
of adventures.
"Next day they found a wooden Saw-Horse standing by
the roadside, and sprinkled it with the Powder. It came to
life at once, and Jack Pumpkinhead rode the Saw-Horse to
the Emerald City."
177
The Road to Oz
"What became of the Saw-Horse, afterward?" asked the
shaggy man, much interested in this story.
"Oh, it 's alive yet, and you will probably meet it pres-
ently in the Emerald City. Afterward Ozma used the last of
the Powder to bring the Flying Gump to life; but as soon as
■».«*==*!••
it had carried her away from her enemies the Gump was taken
apart, so it does n't exist any more."
"It 's too bad the Powder of Life was all used up," re-
marked the shaggy man; "it would be a handy thing to have
around."
"1 am not so sure of that, sir," answered the Tin Wood-
man. "A while ago the crooked Sorcerer who invented the
magic Powder fell down a precipice and was killed. All his
178
The Royal Chariot Arrives
possessions went to a relative — an old woman named Dyna,
who lives in the Emerald City. She went to the mountains
where the Sorcerer had lived and brought away everything
she thought of value. Among them was a small bottle of the
Powder of Life; but of course Dyna did n't know it was a
magic Powder, at all. It happened she had once had a big
blue bear for a pet; but the bear choked to death on a fish-
bone one day, and she loved it so dearly that Dyna made a
rug of its skin, leaving the head and four paws on the hide.
She kept the rug on the floor of her front parlor."
"I 've seen rugs like that," said the shaggy man, nodding,
"but never one made from a blue bear."
"Well," continued the Tin Woodman, "the old woman
had an idea that the Powder in the bottle must be moth-
powder, because it smelled something like moth-powder; so
one day she sprinkled it on her bear rug to keep the moths out
of it. She said, looking lovingly at the skin : *I wish my dear
bear were alive again I' To her horror the bear rug at once
came to life, having been sprinkled with the Magic Powder;
and now this live bear rug is a great trial to her, and makes
her a lot of trouble."
"Why^" asked the shaggy man.
**Well, it stands up on its four feet and walks all around,
and gets in the way; and that spoils it for a rug. It can't
speak, although it is alive; for, while its head might say
179
The Road to Oz
words, it has no breath in a solid body to push the words out
of its mouth. It 's a very slimpsy affair altogether, that bear
rug, and the old woman is sorry it came to life. Every day
she has to scold it, and make it lie down flat on the parlor
floor to be walked upon; but sometimes when she goes to
market the rug will hump up its back skin, and stand on its
four feet, and trot along after her."
"I should think Dyna would like that," said Dorothy.
"Well, she does n't; because every one knows it is n't a
real bear, but just a hollow skin, and so of no actual use in the
world except for a rug," answered the Tin Woodman.
"Therefore I believe it is a good thing that all the magic
180
The Royal Chariot Arrives
Powder of Life is now used up, as it cannot cause any more
trouble."
"Perhaps you 're right," said the shaggy man, thought-
fully.
At noon they stopped at a farm-house, where it delighted
the farmer and his wife to be able to give them a good lunch-
eon. The farm people knew Dorothy, having seen her when
she was in the country before, and they treated the little girl
with as much respect as they did the Emperor, because she
was a friend of the powerful Princess Ozma.
They had not proceeded far after leaving this farm-house
before coming to a high bridge over a broad river. This river,
the Tin Woodman informed them, was the boundary be-
tween the Country of the Winkies and the territory of the
Emerald City. The city itself was still a long way off, but
all around it was a green meadow, as pretty as a well-kept
lawn, and in this were neither houses nor farms to spoil the
beauty of the scene.
From the top of the high bridge they could see far away
the magnificent spires and splendid domes of the superb city,
sparkling like brilliant jewels as they towered above the
emerald walls. The shaggy man drew a deep breath of awe
and amazement, for never had he dreamed that such a grand
and beautiful place could exist — even in the fairyland of
Oz.
181
The Road to Oz
Polly was so pleased that her violet eyes sparkled like
amethysts, and she danced away from her companions across
the bridge and into a group of feathery trees lining both the
roadsides. These trees she stopped to look at with pleasure
and surprise, for their leaves were shaped like ostrich plumes,
their feather edges beautifully curled; and all the plumes
were tinted in the same dainty rainbow hues that appeared in
Polychrome's own pretty gauze gown.
"Father ought to see these trees," she murmured; *'they
are almost as lovely as his own rainbows."
Then she gave a start of terror, for beneath the trees
came stalking two great beasts, either one big enough to crush
the little Daughter of the Rainbow with one blow of his
paws, or to eat her up with one snap of his enormous jaws.
One was a tawny lion, as tall as a horse, nearly; the other a
striped tiger almost the same size.
Polly was too frightened to scream or to stir; she stood
still with a wildly beating heart until Dorothy rushed past
her and with a glad cry threw her arms around the huge lion's
neck, hugging and kissing the beast with evident joy.
*'0h, I 'm so glad to see you again!" cried the little Kan-
sas girl. "And the Hungry Tiger, tool How fine you 're
both looking. Are you well and happy'?"
"We certainly are, Dorothy," answered the Lion, in a
deep voice that sounded pleasant and kind; "and we are
182
DOROTHY THREW HER ARMS AROUND THE UON'S NECK
The Road to Oz
greatly pleased that you have come to Ozma's party. It 's
going to be a grand affair, I promise you."
"There will be lots of fat babies at the celebration, I
hear," remarked the Hungry Tiger, yawning so that his
mouth opened dreadfully wide and showed all his big, sharp
teeth; "but of course I can't eat any of 'em."
"Is your Conscience still in good order'?" asked Dorothy,
anxiously.
"Yes; it rules me like a tyrant," answered the Tiger, sor-
rowfully. "I can imagine nothing more unpleasant than to
own a Conscience," and he winked slyly at his friend the
Lion.
"You 're fooling me!" said Dorothy, with a laugh. "I
don't b'lieve you 'd eat a baby if you lost your Conscience.
Come here, Polly," she called, "and be introduced to my
friends."
Polly advanced rather shyly.
"You have some queer friends, Dorothy," she said.
"The queerness does n't matter, so long as they 're
friends," was the answer. "This is the Cowardly Lion, who
is n't a coward at all, but just thinks he is. The Wizard gave
him some courage once, and he has part of it left."
The Lion bowed with great dignity to Polly.
"You are very lovely, my dear," said he. "I hope we
shall be friends when we are better acquainted."
184
The Royal Chariot Arrives
"And this is the Hungry Tiger/' continued Dorothy.
"He says he longs to eat fat babies; but the truth is he is
never hungry at all, 'cause he gets plenty to eat; and I don't
s'pose he 'd hurt anybody even if he was hungry."
"Hush, Dorothy," whispered the Tiger; "you '11 ruin my
reputation if you are not more discreet. It is n't what we are,
but what folks think we are, that counts in this world. And
come to think of it Miss Polly would make a fine variegated
9
breakfast, I 'm sure."
f$S
«iipi(ici
THE others now came up, and the Tin Woodman greeted the
Lion and the Tiger cordially. Button-Bright yelled with
fear when Doroth)^ first took his hand and led him toward the
great beasts; but the girl insisted they were kind and good,
and so the boy mustered up courage enough to pat their heads ;
after they had spoken to him gently and he had looked into
their intelligent eyes his fear vanished entirely and he was
so delighted with the animals that he wanted Lo keep close
to them and stroke their soft fur every minute.
As for the shaggy man, he might have been afraid if he
had met the beast:? alone, or in any other country; but so
186
The Emerald City
many were the marvels in the Land of Oz that he was no
longer easily surprised, and Dorothy's friendship for tne
Lion and Tiger was enough to assure him they were safe com-
panions. Toto barked at the Cowardly Lion in joyous greet-
ing, for he knew the beast of old and loved him, and it was
funny to see how gently the Lion raised his huge paw to pat
Toto's head. The little dog smelled of the Tiger's nose and
the Tiger politely shook paws with him; so they were quite
likely to become firm friends.
Tik-tok and Billina knew the beasts well, so merely bade
them good day and asked after their healths and inquired
about the Princess Ozma.
Now it was seen that the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry
Tiger were drawing behind them a splendid golden chariot,
to which they were harnessed by golden cords. The body of
the chariot was decorated on the outside with designs in clus-
ters of sparkling emeralds, while inside it was lined with
a green and gold satin, and the cushions of the seats were of
green plush embroidered in gold with a crown, underneath
which was a monogram.
"Why, it 's Ozma's own royal chariot I" exclaimed Doro-
thy.
"Yes," said the Cowardly Lion; "Ozma sent us to meet
you here, for she feared you would be weary with your long
187
The Road to Oz
walk and she wished you to enter the City in a style becom-
ing your exalted rank."
"What I" cried Polly, looking at Dorothy curiously. "Do
you belong to the nobility*?"
"Just in Oz I do," said the child, " 'cause Ozma made me
a Princess, you know. But when I 'm home in Kansas I 'm.
only a country girl, and have to help with the churning and
wipe the dishes while Aunt Em washes 'em. Do you have to
help wash dishes on the rainbow, Polly?'
"No, dear," answered Polychrome, smiling.
"Well, I don't have to work any in Oz, either," said Dor-
othy. "It 's kind of fun to be a Princess once in a while;
don't you think so^"
188
The Emerald City
"Dorothy and Polychrome and Button-Bright are all to
ride in the chariot," said the Lion. "So get in, my dears, and
be careful not to mar the gold or put your dusty feet on the
embroidery."
Button-Bright was delighted to ride behind such a su-
perb team, and he told Dorothy it made him feel like an ac-
tor in a circus. As the strides of the animals brought them
nearer to the Emerald City every one bowed respectfully to
the children, as well as to the Tin Woodman, Tik-tok, and
the shaggy man, who were following behind.
The Yellow Hen had perched upon the back of the char-
iot, where she could tell Dorothy more about her wonderful
chickens as they rode. And so the grand chariot came finally
to the high wall surrounding the City, and paused before the
magnificent jewel-studded gates.
These were opened by a cheerful looking little man who
wore green spectacles over his eyes. Dorothy introa ^ced
him to her friends as the Guardian of the Gates, and they no-
ticed a big bunch of keys suspended on the golden chain that
hung around his neck. The chariot passed through the outer
gates into a fine arched chamber built in the thick wall, and
through the inner gates into the streets of the Emerald City.
Polychrome exclaimed in rapture at the wondrous beauty
that met her eyes on every side as they rode through this
stately and imposing City, the equal of which has never been
189
The Road to Oz
discovered, even in Fairyland. Button-Bright could only say
"My I" S( amazing was the sight; but his eyes were wide open
and he tried to look in every direction at the same time, so
as not to miss anything.
The shaggy man was fairly astounded at what he saw, for
the graceful and handsome buildings were covered with
plates of gold and set with emeralds so splendid and valu-
able that in any other part of the world any one of them would
have been worth a fortune to its owner. The sidewalks were
superb marble slabs polished as smooth as glass, and the curbs
ihat separated the walks from the broad street were also set
thick with clustered emeralds. There were many people on
The Emerald City
these walks — men, women, and children — all dressed in
handsome garments of silk or satin or velvet, with beautiful
jewels. Better even than this: all seemed happy and con-
tented, for their faces were smiling and free from care, and
music and laughter might be heard on every side.
"Don't they work, at all?" asked the shaggy man.
"To be sure they work," replied the Tin Woodman; "this
fair city could not be built or cared for without labor, nor
could the fruit and vegetables and other food be provided for
the inhabitants to eat. But no one works more than half his
time, and the people of Oz enjoy their labors as much as they
do their play."
"It 's wonderful!' declared the shaggy man. "I do hope
Ozma will let me liv ^ here."
The chariot, winding through many charming streets,
paused before a building so vast and noble and elegant that
even Button-Bright guessed at once that it was the Royal
Palace. Its gardens and ample grounds were surrounded by
a separate wall, not so high or thick as the wall around the
City, but more daintily designed and built all of green mar-
ble. The gates flew open as the chariot appeared before them,
and the Cowardly Lion and Hungry Tiger trotted up a jew-
eled driveway to the front door of the palace and stopped
short.
"Here we are !" said Dorothy, gaily, and helped Button-
191
The Road to Oz
Bright from the chariot. Polychrome leaped out lightly after
them, and they were greeted by a crowd of gorgeously dressed
servants who bowed low as the visitors mounted the marble
steps. At their head was a pretty little maid with dark hair
and eyes, dressed all in green embroidered with silver. Dor-
othy ran up to her with evident pleasure, and exclaimed :
"O Jellia Jamb! I 'm so glad to see you again. Where 's
Ozma?'
"In her room, your Highness," replied the little maid de-
murely, for this was Ozma's favorite attendant. "She wishes
you to come to her as soon as you have rested and changed
your dress. Princess Dorothy. And you and your friends are
to dine with her this evening."
"When is her birthday, Jellia?" asked the girl.
"Day after to-morrow, your Highness."
"And where 's the Scarecrow?"
"He 's gone into the Munchkin country to get some fresh
straw to stuff himself with, in honor of Ozma's celebration,"
replied the maid. "He returns to the Emerald City to-mor-
row, he said."
By this time Tik-tok, the Tin Woodman, and the shaggy
man had arrived and the chariot had gone around to the back
of the palace, Billina going with the Lion and Tiger to see
her chickens after her absence from them. But Toto stayed
close beside Dorothy.
192
The Road to Oz
"Come in, please," said Jellia Jamb; "it shall be our
pleasant duty to escort all of you to the rooms prepared for
your use."
The shaggy man hesitated. Dorothy had never known
him to be ashamed of his shaggy looks before, but now that
he was surrounded by so much magnificence and splendor
the shaggy man felt sadly out of place.
Dorothy assured him that all her friends were welcome at
Ozma's palace, so he carefully dusted his shaggy shoes with
his shaggy handkerchief and entered the grand hall after the
others.
Tik-tok lived at the Royal Palace and the Tin Wood-
man alwavs had the same room whenever he visited Ozma,
The Emerald City
so these two went at once to remove the dust of the journey
from their shining bodies. Dorothy also had a pretty suite of
rooms which she always occupied when in the Emerald City;
but several servants walked ahead politely to show the way,
although she was quite sure she could find the rooms herself.
She took Button-Bright with her, because he seemed too small
to be left alone in such a big palace ; but Jellia Jamb herself
ushered the beautiful Daughter of the Rainbow to her apart-
ments, because it was easy to see that Polychrome was used
to splendid palaces and was therefore entitled to especial at-
tention.
19^
THE shaggy man stood in the great hall, his shaggy hat in
his hands, wondering what would become of him. He had
never been a guest in a fine palace before; perhaps he had
never been a guest anywhere. In the big, cold, outside world
people did not invite shaggy men to their homes, and this
shaggy man of ours had slept more in hay-lofts and stables
than in comfortable rooms. When the others left the great
hall he eyed the splendidly dressed servants of the Princess
Ozma as if he expected to be ordered out; but one of them
bowed before him as respectfully as if he had been a prince,
and said :
196
The Shaggy Man's Welcome
*Termit me, sir, to conduct you to your apartments."
The shaggy man drew a long breath and took courage.
"Very well," he answered; "I 'm ready."
Through the big hall they went, up the grand staircase
carpeted thick with velvet, and so along a wide corridor to a
carved doorway. Here the servant paused, and opening the
door said with polite deference :
"Be good enough to enter, sir, and make yourself at home
in the rooms our Royal Ozma has ordered prepared for you.
Whatever you see is for you to use and enjoy, as if your own.
The Princess dines at seven, and I shall be here in time to
lead you to the drawing-room, where vou will be privileged
197
The Road to Oz
to meet the lovely Ruler of Oz. Is there any command, in
the meantime, with which you desire to honor me?"
*'No," said the shaggy man; "but I 'm much obliged."
He entered the room and shut the door, and for a time
stood in bewilderment, admiring the grandeur before him.
He had been given one of the handsomest apartments in
the most magnificent palace in the world, and you can not
wonder that his good fortune astonished and awed him until
he grew used to his surroundings.
The furniture was upholstered in cloth of gold, with the
royal crown embroidered upon it in scarlet. The rug upon
the marble floor was so thick and soft that he could not hear
the sound of his own footsteps, and upon the walls were
splendid tapestries woven with scenes from the Land of Oz.
Books and ornaments were scattered about in profusion, and
the shaggy man thought he had never seen so many pretty
things in one place before. In one corner played a tinkling
fountain of perfumed water, and in another was a table bear-
ing a golden tray loaded with freshly gathered fruit, includ-
ing several of the red-cheeked apples that the shaggy man
loved.
At the farther end of this charming room was an open
doorway, and he crossed over to find himself in a bedroom
containing more comforts than the shaggy man had ever be-
fore imagined. The bedstead was of gold and set with many
198
The Shaggy Man's Welcome
brilliant diamonds, and the coverlet had designs of pearls
and rubies sewed upon it. At one side of the bedroom was
a dainty dressing-room, with closets containing a large assort-
ment of fresh clothing; and beyond this was the bath — a
large room having a marble pool big enough to swim in, with
white marble steps leading down to the water. Around the
edge of the pool were set rows of fine emeralds as large as
door-knobs, while the water of the bath was clear as crystal.
For a time the shaggy man gazed upon all this luxury with
silent amazement. Then he decided, being wise in his way,
to take advantage of his good fortune. He removed his
shaggy boots and his shaggy clothing, and bathed in the pool
with rare enjoyment. After he had dried himself with the
soft towels he went into the dressing-room and took fresh lin-
en from the drawers and put it on, finding that everything
fitted him exactly. He examined the contents of the closets
and selected an elegant suit of clothing. Strangely enough,
everything about it was shaggy, although so new and beauti-
ful, and he sighed with contentment to realize that he could
now be finely dressed and still be the Shaggy Man. His coat
was of rose-colored velvet, trimmed with shags and bobtails,
with buttons of blood-red rubies and golden shags around the
edges. His vest was a shaggy satin of a delicate cream color,
and his knee-breeches of rose velvet trimmed like the coat.
Shaggy creamy stockings of silk, and shaggy slippers of rose
199
THE SHAGGY MAN ADMIRES HIS NEW CLOTHES
200
The Shaggy Man's Welcome
leather with ruby buckles, completed his costume, and when
he was thus attired the shaggy man looked at himself in a long
mirror with great admiration. On a table he found a mother-
of-pearl chest decorated with delicate silver vines and flowers
of clustered rubies, and on the cover was a silver plate en-
graved with these words:
THE SHAGGY MAN:
HIS BOX OF ORNAMENTS
The chest was not locked, so he opened it and was almost
dazzled by the brilliance of the rich jewels it contained.
After admiring the pretty things, he took out a fine golden
watch with a big chain, several handsome finger-rings, and
an ornament of rubies to pin upon the breast of his shaggy
shirt-bosom. Having carefully brushed his hair and whis-
kers all the wrong way, to make them look as shaggy as pos-
sible, the shaggy man breathed a deep sigh of joy and decid-
ed he was ready to meet the Royal Princess as soon as she
sent for him. While he waited he returned to the beautiful
sitting room and ate several of the red-cheeked apples to pass
away the time.
Meanwhile Dorothy had dressed herself in a pretty gown
of soft grey embroidered with silver, and put a blue-and-gold
suit of satin upon little Button-Bright, who looked as sweet
201
The Road to Oz
as a cherub in it. Followed by the boy and Toto — the dog
with a new green ribbon around his neck — she hastened
down to the splendid drawing-room of the palace, where,
seated upon an exquisite throne of carved malachite and
nestled amongst its green satin cushions was the lovely Prin-
cess Ozma, waiting eagerly to welcome her friend.
202
THE royal historians of Oz, who are fine writers and know
any number of big words, have often tried to describe the rare
beauty of Ozma and failed because the words were not good
enough. So of course I can not hope to tell you how great
was the charm of this little Princess, or how her loveliness put
to shame all the sparkling jewels and magnificent luxury that
surrounded her in this her royal palace. Whatever else was
beautiful or dainty or delightful of itself faded to dullne?.?.
when contrasted with Ozma's bewitching face, and it has
often been said by those who know that no other ruler in all
the world can ever hope to equal the gracious charm of her
manner.
203
The Road to Oz
Everything about Ozma attracted one, and she inspired
love and the sweetest affection rather than awe or ordinary
admiration. Dorothy threw her arms around her little friend
and hugged and kissed her rapturously, and Toto barked joy-
fully and Button-Bright smiled a happy smile and consented
to sit on the soft cushions close beside the Princess.
"Why did n't you send me word you were going to have a
birthday party?" asked the little Kansas girl, when the first
greetings were over.
"Did n't I?" asked Ozma, her pretty eyes dancing with
merriment.
"Did you?" replied Dorothy, trying to think.
"Who do you imagine, dear, mixed up those roads, so as
to start you wandering in the direction of Oz?" inquired the
Princess.
"Oh I I never 'spected you of that," cried Dorothy.
"I 've watched you in my Magic Picture all the way
here," declared Ozma, "and twice I thought I should have to
use the Magic Belt to save you and transport you to the
Emerald City. Once was when the Scoodlers caught you,
and again when you reached the Deadly Desert. But the
shaggy man was able to help you out both times, so I did not
interfere."
"Do you know who Button-Bright is?" asked Dorothy.
204
Princess Ozma of Oz
"No; I never saw him until yoa found him in the road,
and then only in my Magic Picture."
"And did you send Polly to us?'
"No, dear; the Rainbow's Daughter slid from her father's
pretty arch just in time to meet you."
"Well," said Dorothy, "I 've promised King Dox of Fox-
ville and King Kik-abray of Dunkiton that I 'd ask you to
invite them to your party."
"I have already done that," returned Ozma, "because I
thought it would please you to favor them."
"Did you 'vite the Musicker?" asked Button-Bright.
"No ; because he would be too noisy, and might interfere
with the comfort of others- When music is not very good, and
205
The Road to Oz
is indulged in all the time, it is better that the performer
should be alone," said the Princess.
"I like the Musicker's music," declared the boy, gravely.
"But I don't," said Dorothy.
"Well, there will be plenty of music at my celebration,"
promised Ozma; "so I 've an idea Button-Bright won't miss
the Musicker at all."
Just then Polychrome danced in, and Ozma rose to greet
the Rainbow's Daughter in her sweetest and most cordial
manner.
Dorothy thought she had never seen two prettier creatures
together than these lovely maidens; but Polly knew at once
her own dainty beauty could not match that of Ozma, yet
was not a bit jealous because this was so.
The Wizard of Oz was announced, and a dried-up, little,
old man, clothed all in black, entered the drawing-room. His
face was cheery and his eyes twinkling with humor, so Polly
and Button-Bright were not at all afraid of the wonderful
personage whose fame as a humbug magician had spread
throughout the world. After greeting Dorothy with much af-
fection, he stood modestly behind Ozma's throne and listened
to the lively prattle of the young people.
Now the shaggy man appeared, and so startling was his
appearance, all clad in shaggy new raiment, that Dorothy
206
Princess Ozma of Oz
cried "Oh!" and clasped her hands impulsively as she ex-
amined her friend with pleased eyes.
**He 's still shaggy, all right," remarked Button-Bright;
and Ozma nodded brightly because she had meant the shaggy
man to remain shaggy when she provided his new clothes for
him.
Dorothy led him toward the throne, as he was shy in such
fine company, and presented him gracefully to the Princess,
saying :
"This, your Highness, is my friend, the shaggy man, who
owns the Love Magnet."
"You are welcome to Oz," said the girl Ruler, in gracious
207
The Road to Oz
accents. "But tell me, sir, where did you get the Love Mag-
net which you say you own*?"
The shaggy man grew red and looked downcast, as he an-
swered in a low voice :
"I stole it, your Majesty."
"Oh, Shaggy Man!" cried Dorothy. "How dreadful I
And you told me the Eskimo gave you the Love Magnet."
He shuffled first on one foot and then on the other, much
embarrassed.
"I told you a falsehood, Dorothy," he said; "but now,
having bathed in the Truth Pond, I must tell nothing but the
truth-"
"Why did you steal it'?" asked Ozma, gently.
"Because no one loved me, or cared for me," said the
shaggy man, "and I wanted to be loved a great deal. It was
owned by a girl in Butteriield who was loved too much, so
that the young men quarreled over her, which made her un-
happy. After I had stolen the Magnet from her, only one
young man continued to love the girl, and she married him
and regained her happiness."
"Are you sorry you stole it?" asked the Princess.
"No, your Highness; I 'm glad," he answered; "for it has
pleased me to be loved, and if Dorothy had not cared for me
I could not have accompanied her to this beautiful Land of
Oz, or met its kind-hearted Ruler. Now that I'm here, I
208
ao9,
IN THE ROYAI. PALACE OF OZ
The Road to Oz
hope to remain, and to become one of your Majesty's most
faithful subjects."
"But in Oz we are loved for ourselves alone, and for our
kindness to one another, and for our good deeds," she said.
*'I '11 give up the Love Magnet," said the shaggy man,
eagerly; "Dorothy shall have it."
"But every one loves Dorothy already," declared the
Wizard.
"Then Button-Bright shall have it."
"Don't want it," said the boy, promptly.
"Then I '11 give it to the Wizard, for I 'm sure the lovely
Princess Ozma does not need it."
"All my people love the Wizard, too," announced the
Princess, laughing; "so we will hang the Love Magnet over
the gates of the Emerald City, that whoever shall enter or
leave the gates may be loved and loving."
"That is a good idea," said the shaggy man; "I agree to
it most willingly."
Those assembled now went in to dinner, which you may
imagine was a grand affair; and afterward Ozma asked the
Wizard to give them an exhibition of his magic.
The Wizard took eight tin)^ white piglets from an inside
pocket and set them on the table. One was dressed like a
clown, and performed funny antics, and the others leaped
over the spoons and dishes and ran around the table like race-
210
Princess Ozma of Oz
horses, and turned hand-springs and were so sprightly and
amusing that they kept the company in one roar of merry
laughter. The Wizard had trained these pets to do many cu-
rious things, and they were so little and so cunning and soft
that Polychrome loved to pick them up as they passed near
her place and fondle them as if they were kittens-
It was late when the entertainment ended, and they sep-
arated to go to their rooms.
"To-morrow," said Ozma, "my invited guests will arrive,
and you will find among them some interesting and curious
people, I promise you. The next day will be my birthday,
and the festivities will be held on the broad green just out-
211
The Road to Oz
side the gates of the City, where all my people can assemble
without being crowded."
"I hope the Scarecrow won't be late," said Dorothy, anx-
iously.
"Oh, he is sure to return to-morrow," answered Ozma.
"He wanted new straw to stuff himself with, so he went to the
Munchkin Country, where straw is plentiful."
With this the Princess bade her guests good night and
went to her own room.
ai2
NEXT morning Dorothy's breakfast was served in her own
pretty sitting room, and she sent to invite Polly and the
shaggy man to join her and Button-Bright at the meal. They
came gladly, and Toto also had breakfast with them, so that
the little party that had traveled together to Oz was once
more reunited.
No sooner had they finished eating than they heard the
distant blast of many trumpets, and the sound of a brass band
playing martial music ; so they all went out upon the balcony.
This was at the front of the palace and overlooked the streets
of the City, being higher than the wall that shut in the palace
213
The Road to Oz
grounds. They saw approaching down the street a band of
jiusicians, playing as hard and loud as they could, while the
people of the Emerald City crowded the sidewalks and
cheered so lustily that they almost drowned the noise of the
drums and horns.
Dorothy looked to see what they were cheering at, and
discovered that behind the band was the famous Scarecrow,
riding proudly upon the back of a wooden Saw-Horse which
Dranced along the street almost as gracefully as if it had been
made of flesh. Its hoofs, or rather the ends of its wooden legs,
were shod with plates of solid gold, and the saddle strapped
to the wooden body was richly embroidered and glittered
with jewels.
214
Dorothy Receives the Guests
As he reached the palace the Scarecrow looked up and
saw Dorothy, and at once waved his peaked hat at her in
greeting. He rode up to the front door and dismounted, and
the band stopped playing and went away and the crowds of
people returned to their dwellings.
By the time Dorothy and her friends had re-entered her
room the Scarecrow was there, and he gave the girl a hearty
embrace and shook the hands of the others with his own
squashy hands, which were white gloves filled with straw.
The shaggy man, Button-Bright, and Polychrome stared
hard at this celebrated person, who was acknowledged to be
the most popular and most beloved man in all the Land of
Oz.
"Why, your face has been newly painted I" exclaimed
Dorothy, when the first greetings were over.
"I had it touched up a bit by the Munchkin farmer who
first made me." answered the Scarecrow, pleasantly. "My
complexion had become a bit grey and faded, you know, and
the paint had peeled off one end of my mouth, so I could n't
talk quite straight. Now I feel like myself again, and I may
say without immodesty that my body is stuffed with the love-
liest oat-straw in all Oz." He pushed against his chest.
"Hear me crunkle'?" he asked.
"Yes," said Dorothy; "you sound fine."
Button-Bright was wonderfully attracted by the straw
21^
The Road to Oz
man, and so was Polly. The shaggy man treated him with
great respect, because he was so queerly made.
Jellia Jamb now came to say that Ozma wanted Princess
Dorothy to receive the invited guests in the Throne-Room, as
they arrived. The Ruler was herself busy ordering the prepa-
rations for the morrow's festivities, so she wished her friend
to act in her place.
Dorothy willingly agreed, being the only other Princess
in the Emerald City; so she went to the great Throne-Room
and sat in Ozma's seat, placing Polly on one side of her and
Button-Bright on the other. The Scarecrow stood at the left
of the throne and the Tin Woodman at the right, while the
Wonderful Wizard and the shaggy man stood behind.
The Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger came in, with
bright new bows of ribbon on their collars and tails. After
greeting Dorothy affectionately the huge beasts lay down at
the foot of the throne.
While they waited, the Scarecrow, who was near the little
boy^ asked :
"Why are you called Button-Bright?'
"Don't know," was the answer.
"Oh yes, you do, dear," said Dorothy. "Tell the Scare-
crow how you got your name."
"Papa always said I was bright as a button, so mamma al-
ways called me Button-Bright," announced the boy.
216
Dorothy Receives the Guests
"Where is your mamma?" asked the Scarecrow.
"Don't know," said Button-Bright.
"Where is your home?" asked the Scarecrow.
"Don't know," said Button-Bright.
"Don't you want to find your mamma again?" asked the
Scarecrow.
"Don't know," said Button-Bright, calmly.
The Scarecrow looked thoughtful.
"Your papa may have been right," he observed; "but
there are many kinds of buttons, you see. There are silver
and gold buttons, which are highly polished and glitter
brightly. There are pearl and rubber buttons, and other
kinds, with surfaces more or less bright. But there is still
another sort of button which is covered with dull cloth, and
that must be the sort your papa meant when he said you were
bright as a button. Don't you think so?"
"Don't know," said Button-Bright.
Jack Pumpkinhead arrived, wearing a pair of new white
kid gloves ; and he brought a birthday present for Ozma con-
sisting of a necklace of pumpkin-seeds. In each seed was set
a sparkling carolite, which is considered the rarest and most
beautiful gem that exists. The necklace was in a plush case
and Jellia Jamb put it on a table with the Princess Ozma's
other presents.
Next came a tall, beautiful woman clothed in a splendid
217
The Road to Oz
trailing gown, trimmed with exquisite lace as fine as cobweb.
This was the important Sorceress known as Glinda the Good,
who had been of great assistance to both Ozma and Dorothy.
There was no humbug about her magic, you may be sure, and
Glinda was as kind as she was powerful. She greeted Dor-
othy most lovingly, and kissed Button-Bright and Polly, and
smiled upon the shaggy man, after which Jellia Jamb led the
Sorceress to one of the most magnificent rooms of the royal
palace and appointed fifty servants to wait upon her.
The next arrival was Mr. H. M. Woggle-Bug, T. E. ; the
"H. M." meaning Highly Magnified and the "T. E." mean-
ing Thoroughly Educated. The Woggle-Bug was head pro-
fessor at the Royal College of Oz, and he had composed a fine
Dorothy Receives the Guests
Ode in honor of Ozma's birthday. This he wanted to read to
them; but the Scarecrow wouldn't let him.
Soon they heard a clucking sound and a chorus of * 'cheep!
cheep I" and a servant threw open the door to allow Billina
and her ten fluffy chicks to enter the Throne-Room. As the
Yellow Hen marched proudly at the head of her family, Dor-
othy cried, "Oh, you lovely things!" and ran down from her
seat to pet the little yellow downy balls. Billina wore a pearl
necklace, and around the neck of each chicken was a tiny gold
chain holding a locket with the letter "D" engraved upon the
outside.
"Open the lockets, Dorothy," said Billina. The girl
obeyed and found a picture of herself in each locket. **They
were named after you, my dear," continued the Yellow Hen,
"so I wanted all my chickens to wear your picture. Cluck —
cluck I come here, Dorothy — this minute I" she cried, for the
chickens were scattered and wandering all around the big
room.
They obeyed the call at once, and came running as fast
as they could, fluttering their fluffy wings in a laughable way.
It was lucky that Billina gathered the little ones under
her soft breast just then, for Tik-tok came in and tramped
up to the throne on his flat copper feet.
"I am all wound up and work-ing fine-ly," said the clock-
work man to Dorothy.
219
The Road to Oz
"I can hear him tick," declared Button-Bright.
''You are quite the polished gentleman," said the Tin
Woodman. "Stand up here beside the shaggy man, Tik-tok,
and help receive the company."
Dorothy placed soft cushions in a corner for Billina and
her chicks, and had just returned to the Throne and seated
herself when the playing of the royal band outside the palace
announced the approach of distinguished guests.
And my, how they did stare when the High Chamberlain
threw open the doors and the visitors entered the Throne-
Room!
First walked a gingerbread man, neatly formed and
baked to a lovely brown tint. He wore a silk hat and carried
a candy cane prettily striped with red and yellow. His shirt-
front and cuffs were white frosting, and the buttons on his
coat were licorice drops.
Behind the gingerbread man came a child with flaxen hair
and merry blue eyes, dressed in white pajamas, with sandals
on the soles of its pretty bare feet. The child looked around
smiling and thrust its hands into the pockets of the pajamas.
Close after it came a big rubber bear, walking erect on its
hind feet. The bear had twinkling black eyes and its body
looked as if it had been pumped full of air.
Following these curious visitors were two tall, thin men
and two short, fat men, all four dressed in gorgeous uniforms.
220
KING DOUGH THE HFAD BOOLEVWAG. AND PARA BRUIN
'2 O.J
The Road to Oz
Ozma's High Chamberlain now hurried forward to an-
nounce the names of the new arrivals, calling out in a loud
voice :
"His Gracious and Most Edible Majesty, King Dough
the First, Ruler of the Two Kingdoms of Hiland and Lo-
land. Also the Head Booleywag of his Majesty, known as
Chick the Cherub, and their faithful friend Para Bruin, the
rubber bear."
These great personages bowed low as their names were
called, and Doroth}^ hastened to introduce them to the assem-
bled company. They were the first foreign arrivals, and the
friends of Princess Ozma were polite to them and tried to
make them feel that they were welcome.
Chick the Cherub shook hands with every one, including
Billina, and was so joyous and frank and full of good spirits
that John Dough's Head Booleywag at once became a prime
favorite.
"Is it a boy or a girl*?" whispered Dorothy.
"Don't know," said Button-Bright.
"Goodness me I what a queer lot of people you are," ex-
claimed the rubber bear, looking at the assembled company.
"So 're you," said Button-Bright, gravely. "Is King
Dough good to eat?"
"He 's too good to eat," laughed Chick the Cherub.
222
Dorothy Receives the Guests
"I hope none of you are fond of gingerbread," said the
King, rather anxiously.
"We should never think of eating our visitors, if we
were," declared the Scarecrow; "so please do not worry, for
you will be perfectly safe while you remain in Oz."
"Why do they call you Chick ^" the Yellow Hen asked thf
child.
"Because I 'm an Incubator Baby, and never had any
parents," replied the Head Booleywag.
"My chicks have a parent, and I 'm it," said Billina.
"I 'm glad of that," answered the Cherub, "because
they '11 have more fun worrying you than if they were brought
up in an Incubator. The Incubator never worries, you
know."
441
The Road to Oz
King John Dough had brought for Ozma's birthday pres-
ent a lovely gingerbread crown, with rows of small pearls
around it and a fine big pearl in each of its five points. After
this had been received by Dorothy with proper thanks and
placed on the table with the other presents, the visitors from
Hiland and Loland were escorted to their rooms by the High
Chamberlain.
They had no sooner departed than the band before the
palace began to play again, announcing more arrivals, and
as these were doubtless from foreign parts the High Chamber-
lain hurried back to receive them in his m' >st official manner.
224
FIRST entered a band of Ryls from the Happy Valley, all
merry little sprites like fairy elves. A dozen crooked Knooks
followed from the great Forest of Burzee. They had long
whiskers and pointed caps and curling toes, yet were no taller
than Button-Bright' s shoulder. With this group came a man
so easy to recognize and so important and dearly beloved
throughout the known world, that all present rose to their
feet and bowed their heads in respectful homage, even before
the High Chamberlain knelt to announce his name.
"The most Mighty and Loyal Friend of Children, His
Supreme Highness — Santa Claus !" said the Chamberlain,
in an awed voice.
225
The Road to Oz
"Well, well, well I Glad to see you — glad to meet you
all I" cried Santa Claus, briskly, as he trotted up the long
room.
He was round as an apple, with a fresh rosy face, laugh-
ing eyes, and a bushy beard as white as snow. A red cloak
trimmed with beautiful ermine hung from his shoulders and
upon his back was a basket filled with pretty presents for
the Princess Ozma.
"Hello, Dorothy; still having adventures?' he asked in
his jolly way, as he took the girl's hand in both his own.
"How did you know my name, Santa?" she replied, feel-
ing more shy in the presence of this immortal saint than she
ever had before in her young life.
"Why, don't I see you every Christmas Eve, when you *re
asleep?" he rejoined, pinching her blushing cheek.
"Oh; do you?"
"And here 's Button-Bright, I declare I" cried Santa Claus,
holding up the boy to kiss him. "What a long way from
home you are ; dear me !"
"Do you know Button-Bright, too?" questioned Doro-
thy, eagerly.
"Indeed I do. I 've visited his home several Christmas
Eves."
"And do you know his father?" asked the girl.
"Certainly, my dear. Who else do you suppose brings
226
»fy
MERRY RYLS AND CROOKED KNOOKS
The Road to Oz
him his Christmas neckties and stockings'?" with a sly wink at
the Wizard.
"Then where does he live'? We're just crazy to know,
'cause Button-Bright's lost/' she said.
Santa laughed and laid his finger aside of his nose as if
thinking what to reply. He leaned over and whispered some-
thing in the Wizard's ear, at which the Wizard smiled and
nodded as if he understood.
Now Santa Claus spied Polychrome, and trotted over to
where she stood.
"Seems to me the Rainbow's Daughter is farther from
home than any of you," he observed, looking at the pretty
maiden admiringly. "I '11 have to tell your father where
you are, Polly, and send him to get you."
"Please do, dear Santa Claus," implored the little maid,
beseechingly.
"But just now we must all have a jolly good time at Oz-
ma's party," said the old gentlemen, turning to put his pres-
ents on the table with the others already there. "It is n't
often I find time to leave my castle, as you know ; but Ozma
invited me and I just could n't help coming to celebrate the
happy occasion."
"I 'm so glad !" exclaimed Dorothy.
"These are my Ryls," pointing to the little sprites squat-
ting around him. "Their business is to paint the colors of
228
Important Arrivals
the flowers when they bud and bloom; but I brought the
merry fellows along to see Oz, and they 've left their pafnt-
pots behind them. Also I brought these crooked Knooks,
whom I love. My dears, the Knooks are much nicer than they
look, for their duty is to water and care for the young trees of
the forest, and they do their work faithfully and well. It 's
hard work, though, and it makes my Knooks crooked and
gnarled, like the trees themselves; but their hearts are big
and kind, as are the hearts of all who do good in our beauti-
ful world."
"I 've read of the Ryls and Knooks," said Dorothy, look-
ing upon these little workers with interest.
Santa Claus turned to talk with the Scarecrow and the
Tin Woodman, and he also said a kind word to the shaggy
man, and afterward went away to ride the Saw-horse around
the Emerald City. "For," said he, "I must see all the grand
sights while I am here and have the chance, and Ozma has
promised to let me ride the Saw-Horse because I 'm getting
fat and short of breath."
"Where are your reindeer?" asked Polychrome.
"I left them at home, for it is too warm for them in this
sunny country," he answered. "They 're used to winter
weather when they travel."
In a flash he was gone, and the Ryls and Knooks with
bim; but they could all hear the golden hoofs of the Saw-
229
The Road to Oz
Horse ringing on the marble pavement outside, as he pranced
away with his noble rider.
Presently the band played again, and the High Chamber-
lain announced :
"Her Gracious Majesty, the Queen of Merry land."
They looked earnestly to discover whom this queen might
be, and saw advancing up the room an exquisite wax doll,
dressed in dainty fluffs and ruffles and spangled gown. She
was almost as big as Button-Bright, and her cheeks and mouth
and eyebrow were prettily painted in delicate colors. Her
blue eyes stared a bit, being of glass, yet the expression upon
her Majesty's face was quite pleasant and decidedly winning.
230
Important Arrivals
With the Queen of Merryland were four wooden soldiers,
two stalking ahead of her with much dignity and two follow-
ing behind, like a royal bodyguard. The soldiers were
painted in bright colors and carried wooden guns, and after
them came a fat little man who attracted attention at once,
although he seemed modest and retiring. For he was made
of candy, and carried a tin sugar-sifter filled with powdered
sugar, with which he dusted himself frequently so that he
would n't stick to things if he touched them. The High
Chamberlain had called him "The Candy Man of Merry-
land,'" and Dorothy saw that one of his thumbs looked as
if it had been bitten off by some who was fond of candy and
could n't resist the temptation.
The wax doll Queen spoke prettily to Dorothy and the
others, and sent her loving greetings to Ozma before she re-
tired to the rooms prepared for her. She had brought a birth-
day present wrapped in tissue paper and tied with pink and
blue ribbons, and one of the wooden soldiers placed it on the
table with the other gifts. But the Candy Man did not go
to his room, because he said he preferred to stay and talk with
the Scarecrow and Tik-tok and the Wizard and Tin Wood-
man, whom he declared the queerest people he had ever met.
Button-Bright was glad the Candy Man stayed in the
Throne-room, because the boy thought this guest smelled
deliciously of wintergreen and maple sugar.
231
The Road to Oz
The Braided Man now entered the room, having been
fortunate enough to receive an invitation to the Princess Oz-
ma's party. He was from a cave halfway between the In-
visible Valley and the Country of the Gargoyles, and his
hair and whiskers were so long that he was obliged to plait
them into many braids that hung to his feet, and every braid
was tied with a bow of colored ribbon.
"I 've brought Princess Ozma a box of flutters for her
birthday," said the Braided Man, earnestly; "and I hope she
will like them, for they are the finest quality I have ever
made.'*
"I *m sure she will be greatly pleased," said Dorothy, who
**r
Important Arrivals
remembered the Braided Man well; and the Wizard intro-
duced the guest to the rest of the company and made him sit
down in a chair and keep quiet, for, if allowed, he would talk
continually about his flutters.
The band then played a welcome to another set of guests,
and into the Throne-Room swept the handsome and stately
Queen of Ev. Beside her was young King Evardo, and
following them came the entire royal family of five Princesses
and four Princes of Ev. The Kingdom of Ev lay just across
the Deadly Desert to the North of Oz, and once Ozma and
her people had rescued the Queen of Ev and her ten children
from the Nome King, who had enslaved them. Dorothy had
been present on this adventure, so she greeted the royal fam-
ily cordially; and all the visitors were delighted to meet the
little Kansas girl again. They knew Tik-tok and Billina,
too, and the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman, as well as the
Lion and Tiger; so there was a joyful reunion, as you may
imagine, and it was fully an hour before the Queen and her
train retired to their rooms. Perhaps they would not have
gone then had not the band begun to play to announce new
arrivals; but before they left the great Throne-Room King
Evardo added to Ozma's birthday presents a diadem of dia-
monds set in radium.
The next comer proved to be King Renard of Foxville ;
or King Dox, as he preferred to be called. He was magnifi-
233
The Road to Oz
cently dressed in a new feather costume and wore white kid
mittens over his paws and a flower in his button-hole and had
his hair parted in the middle.
King Dox thanked Dorothy fervently for getting him
the invitation to come to Oz, which he had all his life longed
to visit. He strutted around rather absurdly as he was intro-
duced to all the famous people assembled in the Throne-
Room, and when he learned that Dorothy was a Princess of
Oz the Fox King insisted on kneeling at her feet and after-
ward retired backward — a dangerous thing to do, as he
might have stubbed his paw and tumbled over.
No sooner was he gone than the blasts of bugles and clat-
ter of drums and cymbals announced important visitors, and
the High Chamberlain assumed his most dignified tone as
he threw open the door and said proudly:
"Her Sublime and Resplendent Majesty, Queen Zixi of
Ix! His Serene and Tremendous Majesty, King Bud of
Noland. Her Royal Highness, the Princess Fluif."
That three such high and mighty royal personages should
arrive at once was enough to make Dorothy and her compan-
ions grow solemn and assume their best company manners;
but when the exquisite beauty of Queen Zixi met their eyes
they thought they had never beheld anything so charming.
Dorothy decided that Zixi must be about sixteen years old,
but the Wizard whispered to her that this wonderful queen
234
w >ic
HER MAJES'lVy-J flUEEN ZIXI OF IX
The Road to Oz
had lived thousands of years, but knew the secret of remain-
ing always fresh and beautiful.
King Bud of Noland and his dainty fair-haired sister,
the Princess Fluff, were friends of Zixi, as their kingdoms
were adjoining, so they had traveled together from their far-
off domains to do honor to Ozma of Oz on the occasion of her
birthday. They brought many splendid gifts; so the table
was now fairly loaded down with presents.
Dorothy and Polly loved the Princess Fluff the moment
they saw her, and little King Bud was so frank and boyish
that Button-Bright accepted him as a chum at once and did
not want him to go away. But it was after noon now, and
the royal guests must prepare their toilets for the grand ban-
quet at which they were to assemble that evening to meet the
reigning Princess of this Fairyland ; so Queen Zixi was shown
to her room by a troop of maidens led by Jellia Jamb, and
Bud and Fluff presently withdrew to their own apartments.
"My I what a big party Ozma is going to have," exclaimed
Dorothy. 'T guess the palace will be chock full, Button-
Bright; don't you think so?"
"Don't know," said the boy.
"But we must go to our rooms, pretty soon, to dress for
the banquet," continued the girl.
"I don't have to dress," said the Candy Man from Merry-
land. "All I need do is to dust myself with fresh sugar."
236
Important Arrivals
"Tik-tok and I always wear the same suits of clothes,"
said the Tin Woodman; "and so does our friend the Scare-
crow."
"My feathers are good enough for any occasion," cried
Billina, from her corner.
"Then I shall leave you four to welcome any new guests
that come," said Dorothy; "for Button-Bright and I must
look our very best at Ozma's banquet."
^*Who is still to come'?" asked the Scarecrow.
"Well, there 's King Kika-bray of Dunkiton, and Johnny
Dooit, and the Good Witch of the North. But Johnny Doo-
it may not get here until late, he 's so very busyo"
^37
The Road to Oz
"We will receive them and give them a Drooer welcome,'*
promised the Scarecrow. "So run along, little Dorothy, and
get yourself dressed."
mi'
I WISH I could tell you how fine the company was that
assembled that evening at Ozma's royal banquet. A long
table was spread in the center of the great dining-hall of the
palace and the splendor of the decorations and the blaze of
lights and jewels was acknowledged to be the most magnifi-
cent sight that any of the guests had ever seen.
The j oiliest person present, as well as the most important,
was of course, old Santa Claus; so he was given the seat of
honor at one end of the table while at the other end sat Prin-
cess Ozma, the hostess.
John Dough, Queen Zixi, King Bud, the Queen of Ev and
239
The Road to Oz
her son Evardo, and the Queen of Merryland had golden
thrones to sit in, while the others were supplied with beautiful
chairs.
At the upper end of the banquet room was a separate table
M
provided for the animals. Toto sat at one end of this table,
with a bib tied around his neck and a silver platter to eat
from. At the other end was placed a small stand, with a
low rail around the edge of it, for Billina and her chicks. The
rail kept the ten little Dorothys from falling off the stand,
while the Yellow Hen could easily reach over and take her
food from her tray upon the table. At other places sat the
240
The Grand Banquet
Hungry Tiger, the Cowardly Lion, the Saw-Horse, the Rub-
ber Bear, the Fox King and the Donkey King; they made
quite a company of animals.
At the lower end of the great room was another table, at
which sat the Ryls and Knooks who had come with Santa
Claus, the wooden soldiers who had come with the Queen
of Merryland, and the Hilanders and Lolanders who had
come with John Dough. Here were also seated the officers
of the royal palace and of Ozma's army.
The splendid costumes of those at the three tables made
a gorgeous and glittering display that no one present was
ever likely to forget; perhaps there has never been in any
part of the world at any time another assemblage of such
wonderful people as that which gathered this evening to
honor the birthday of the Ruler of Oz.
When all the members of the company were in their
places an orchestra of five hundred pieces, in a balcony over-
looking the banquet room, began to play sweet and delight-
ful music. Then a door draped with royal green opened, and
in came the fair and girlish Princess Ozma, who now greeted
her guests in person for the first time.
As she stood by her throne at the head of the banquet table
every eye was turned eagerly upon the lovely Princess, who
was as dignified as she was bewitching, and who smiled upon
241
The Road to Oz
all her old and new friends in a way that touched their hearts
and brought an answering smile to every face.
Each guest had been served with a crystal goblet filled
with lacasa, which is a sort of nectar famous in Oz and nicer
to drink than soda-water or lemonade. Santa now made
a pretty speech in verse, congratulating Ozma on having a
birthday, and asking every one present to drink to the health
and happiness of their dearly beloved hostess. This was
done with great enthusiasm by those who were made so they
could drink at all, and those who could not drink politely
touched the rims of their goblets to their lips. All seated
themselves at the tables and the servants of the Princess be-
gan serving the feast.
I am quite sure that only in Fairyland could such a de-
licious repast be prepared. The dishes were of precious met-
als set with brilliant jewels and the good things to eat which
were placed upon them were countless in number and of ex-
quisite flavor. Several present, such as the Candy Man, the
Rubber Bear, Tik-tok, and the Scarecrow, were not made so
they could eat, and the Queen of Merryland contented her-
self with a small dish of sawdust; but these enjoyed the pomp
and glitter of the gorgeous scene as much as did those who
feasted.
The Woggle-Bug read his "Ode to Ozma," which was
242
DRINKING THE HEALTH OF PRINCESS OZMA OF OZ
2^'i
The Road to Oz
written in very good rhythm and was well received by the
company. The Wizard added to the entertainment by mak-
ing a big pie appear before Dorothy, and when the little girl
cut the pie the nine tiny piglets leaped out of it and danced
around the table, while the orchestra played a merry tune.
This amused the company very much, but they were even
more pleased when Polychrome, whose hunger had been eas-
ily satisfied, rose from the table and performed her graceful
and bewildering Rainbow Dance for them. When it was end-
ed the people clapped their hands and the animals clapped
their paws, while Billina cackled and the Donkey King
brayed approval.
Johnny Dooit was present, and of course he proved he
could do wonders in the way of eating, as well as in every-
thing else that he undertook to do; the Tin Woodman sang
a love song, ever)^ one joining in the chorus; and the wooden
soldiers from Merryland gave an exhibition of a lightning
drill with their wooden muskets; the Ryls and Knooks
danced the Fairy Circle ; and the Rubber Bear bounced him-
self all around the room. There was laughter and merriment
on every side, and everybody was having a royal good time.
Button-Bright was so excited and interested that he paid
little attention to his fine dinner and a great deal of attention
to his queer companions ; and perhaps he was wise to do this,
because he could eat at any other time.
^44
The Grand Banquet
The feasting and merrymaking continued until late in
the evening, when they separated to meet again the next
morning and take part in the birthday celebration, to which
this royal banquet was merely the introduction.
H'>
A CLEAR, perfect day, with a gentle breeze and a sunny
sky, greeted Princess Ozma as she wakened next morning, the
anniversary of her birth. While it was yet early all the city
was astir and crowds of people came from all parts of the
Land of Oz to witness the festivities in honor of their girl
Ruler's birthday.
The noted visitors from foreign countries, who had all
been transported to the Emerald City by means of the Magic
Belt, were as much a show to the Ozites as were their own
familiar celebrities, and the streets leading from the royal
palace to the jeweled gates were thronged with men, women,
246
The Birthday Celebration
and children to see the procession as it passed out to the green
fields where the ceremonies were to take place.
And what a great procession it was I
First came a thousand young girls — the prettiest in the
land — dressed in white muslin, with green sashes and hair
ribbons, bearing great baskets of red roses. As they walked
they scattered these flowers upon the marble pavements, so
that the way was carpeted thick with roses for the procession
to walk upon.
Then came the Rulers of the four Kingdoms of Oz; the
Emperor of the Winkies, the Monarch of the Munckins, the
King of the Quadlings and the Sovereign of the Gillikins,
each wearing a long chain of emeralds around his neck to
show that he was a vassal of the Ruler of the Emerald City.
Next marched the Emerald City Cornet Band, clothed
in green-and-gold uniforms and playing the "Ozma Two-
Step." The Royal Army of Oz followed, consisting of twen-
ty-seven officers, from the Captain-General down to the Lieu-
tenants. There were no privates in Ozma's Army because
soldiers were not needed to fight battles, but only to look
important, and an officer always looks more imposing than
a private.
While the people cheered and waved their hats and hand-
kerchiefs, there came walking the Royal Princess Ozma, look-
ing so pretty and sweet that it is no wonder her people love
247
The Road to Oz
her so dearly. She had decided she would not ride in her
chariot that day, as she preferred to walk in the procession
with her favored subjects and her guests. Just in front of
her trotted the living Blue Bear Rug owned by old Dyna,
which wobbled clumsily on its four feet because there was
nothing but the skin to support them, with a stuffed head
at one end and a stubby tail at the other. But whenever
Ozma paused in her walk the Bear Rug would flop down flat
upon the ground for the princess to stand upon until she re-
sumed her progress.
Following the Princess stalked her two enormous beasts,
the Cowardly Lion and the Hungry Tiger, and even if the
Army had not been there these two would have been power-
ful enough to guard their mistress from any harm.
Next marched the invited guests, who were loudly cheered
by the people of Oz along the road, and were therefore
obliged to bow to right and left almost every step of the way.
First was Santa Claus, who, because he was fat and not used
to walking, rode the wonderful Saw-Horse. The merry old
gentleman had a basket of small toys with him, and he tossed
the toys one by one to the children as he passed by. His
Ryls and Knooks marched close behind him.
Queen Zixi of Ix came after; then John Dough and the
Cherub, with the rubber bear named Para Bruin strutting be-
tween them on its hind legs; then the Queen of Merryland,
248
The Birthday Celebration
escorted by her wooden soldiers; then King Bud of Noland
and his sister, the Princess Fluff; then the Queen of Ev and
her ten royal children ; then the Braided Man and the Candy
Man, side by side; then King Dox of Foxville and King
Kik-a-bray of Dunkiton, who by this time had become good
friends ; and finally Johnny Dooit, in his leather apron, smok-
ing his long pipe.
These wonderful personages were not more heartily
cheered by the people than were those who followed after
them in the procession. Dorothy was a general favorite, and
she walked arm in arm with the Scarecrow, who was beloved
by all. Then came Polychrome and Button-Bright, and the
249
The Road to Oz
people loved the Rainbow's pretty Daughter and the beauti-
ful blue-eyed boy as soon as they saw them. The shaggy
man in his shaggy new suit attracted much attention because
he was such a novelty. With regular steps tramped the ma-
chine-man Tik-tok, and there was more cheering when the
Wizard of Oz followed in the procession. The Woggle-Bug
and Jack Pumpkinhead were next, and behind them Glinda
the Sorceress and the Good Witch of the North. Finally
came Billina, with her brood of chickens to whom she clucked
anxiously to keep them together and to hasten them along so
they would not delay the procession.
Another band followed, this time the Tin Band of the
Emperor of the Winkies, playing a beautiful march called,
"There 's No Plate like Tin." Then came the servants of the
Royal Palace, in a long line, and behind them all the people
joined the procession and marched away through the emerald
gates and out upon the broad green.
Here had been erected a splendid pavilion, with a grand-
stand big enough to seat all the royal party and those who
had taken part in the procession. Over the pavilion, which
was of green silk and cloth of gold, countless banners waved
in the breeze. Just in front of this, and connected with it by
a runway, had been built a broad platform, so that all the
spectators could see plainly the entertainment provided for
them.
250
The Birthday Celebration
The Wizard now became Master of Ceremonies, as Ozma
had placed the conduct of the performance in his hands.
After the people had all congregated about the platform and
the royal party and the visitors were seated in the grand-
stand, the Wizard skillfully performed some feats of jug-
gling glass balls and lighted candles. He tossed a dozen or
so of them high in the air and caught them one by one as they
came down, without missing any.
Then he introduced the Scarecrow, who did a sword-swal-
lowing act that aroused much interest. After this the Tin
Woodman gave an exhibition of Swinging the Axe, which he
made to whirl around him so rapidly that the eye could scarce-
ly follow the motion of the gleaming blade. Glinda the Sor-
ceress then stepped upon the platform, and by her magic made
a big tree grow in the middle of the space, made blossoms ap-
pear upon the tree, and made the blossoms become delicious
fruit called tamornas ; and so great was the quantity of fruit
thus produced that when the servants climbed the tree and
tossed it down to the crowd, there was enough to satisfy every
person present.
Para Bruin, the rubber bear, climbed to a limb of the big
tree, rolled himself into a ball, and dropped to the platform,
whence he bounded up again to the limb. He repeated this
bouncing act several times, to the great delight of all the
chiMren present. After he had finished, and bowed, and
2C1
The Road to Oz
returned to his seat, Glinda waved her wand and the tree dis-
appeared; but its fruit still remained to be eaten.
The Good Witch of the North amused the people by
transforming ten stones into ten birds, the ten birds into ten
lambs, and the ten lambs into ten little girls, who gave a
pretty dance and were then transformed into ten stones again,
just as they were in the beginning.
Johnny Dooit next came on the platform with his tool-
chest, and in a few minutes built a great flying machine*
then put his chest in the machine and the whole thing flew
away together — Johnny and all — after he had bid good-
bye to those present and thanked the Princess for her hospi-
tality.
tsz
The Birthday Celebration
The Wizard then announced the last act of all, which
was considered really wonderful. He had invented a ma-
chine to blow huge soap-bubbles, as big as balloons, and this
machine was hidden under the platform so that only the rim
of the big clay pipe to produce the bubbles showed above the
flooring. The tank of soap-suds, and the air-pumps to in-
flate the bubbles, were out of sight beneath, so that when the
bubbles began to grow upon the floor of the platform it really
seemed like magic to the people of Oz, who knew nothing
about even the common soap-bubbles that our children blow
with a penny clay pipe and a basin of soap-and-water.
The Wizard had invented another thing. Usually soap-
bubbles are frail and burst easily, lasting only a few^ moments
as they float in the air; but the Wizard added a sort of glue to
his soapsuds, which made his bubbles tough; and, as the glue
dried rapidly when exposed to the air, the Wizard's bubbles
were strong enough to float for hours without breaking.
He began by blowing — by means of his machinery and
air-pumps — several large bubbles which he allowed to float
upward into the sky, where the sunshine fell upon them and
gave them iridescent hues that were most beautiful. This
aroused much wonder and delight, because it was a new
amusement to every one present — except perhaps Doro-
thy and Button-Bright, and even they had never seen such
big, strong bubbles before.
253
THE WIZARD BLEW A BUBBLE AROUND SANTA CLAUS
«54
The Birthday Celebration
The Wizard then blew a bunch of small bubbles and after-
ward blew a big bubble around them so they were left in the
center of it ; then he allowed the whole mass of pretty globes
to float into the air and disappear in the far distant sky^
"That is really fine I" declared Santa Claus, who loved
toys and pretty things. "1 think, Mr. Wizard, I shall have
you blow a bubble around me; then I can float away home
and see the country spread out beneath me as I travel. There
is n't a spot on earth that I have n't visited, but I usually go
in the night-time, riding behind my swift reindeer. Here is a
good chance to observe the country by daylight, while I am
riding slowly and at my ease."
"Do you think you will be able to euide the bubble 1"
asked the Wizard.
"Oh yes; I know enough magic to do that," replied Santa
Claus. "You blow the bubble, with me inside of it, and I '11
be sure to get home in safety."
"Please send me home in a bubble, tool" begged the
Queen of Merryland.
"Very well, madam; you shall try the journey first,"
politely answered old Santao
The pretty wax doll bade good-bye to the Princess Ozma
and the others, and stood on the platform while the Wizard
blew a big soap-bubble around her. When completed he al-
lowed the bubble to float slowly upward, and there could be
25'5
The Road to Oz
seen the little Queen of Merryland standing in the middle of
it and blowing kisses from her fingers to those below. The
bubble took a southerly direction, quickly floating out of
sight.
"That 's a very nice way to travel," said Princess Fluff.
"I 'd like to go home in a bubble, too."
So the Wizard blew a big bubble around Princess Fluff,
and another around King Bud, her brother, and a third one
around Queen Zixi; and soon these three bubbles had
mounted into the sky and were floating off in a group in the
direction of the kingdom of Noland.
The success of these ventures induced the other guests
from foreign lands to undertake bubble journeys, also; so
the Wizard put them one by one inside his bubbles, and Santa
Claus directed the way they should go, because he knew ex-
actly where everybody lived.
Finally Button-Bright said :
"I want to go home, too."
"Why, so you shall I" cried Santa; "for I 'm sure your
father and mother will be glad to see you again. Mr. Wiz-
ard, please blow a big, fine bubble for Button-Bright to ride
in, and I '11 agree to send him home to his family as safe as
safe can be."
"I 'm sorry," said Dorothy with a sigh, for she was fond
of her little comrade; "but p'raps it 's best for Button-Bright
256
The Birthday Celebration
to get home; 'cause his folks must be worrying just dread*
ful."
She kissed the boy, and Ozma kissed him, too, and all the
others waved their hands and said good-bye and wished him
a pleasant journey.
''Are you glad to leave us, dear?" asked Dorothy, a little
wistfully.
"Don't know," said Button-Bright.
He sat down cross-legged on the platform, with his
sailor hat tipped back on his head, and the Wizard blew a
beautiful bubble all around him.
A minute later it had mounted into the sky, sailing to-
ward the west, and the last they saw of Button-Bright he was
still sitting in the middle of the shining globe and waving
his sailor-hat at those below.
"Will you ride in a bubble, or shall I send you and Toto
home by means of the Magic Belt?" the Princess asked Doro-
thy.
"Guess I '11 use the Belt," replied the little girl. "I 'm
sort of 'fraid of those bubbles."
"Bow-wow!" said Toto, approvingly. He loved to bark
at the bubbles as they sailed away, but he did n't care to ride
in one.
Santa Claus decided to go next. He thanked Ozma for
her hospitality and wished her many happy returns of the
257
The Road to Oz
day. Then the Wizard blew a bubble around his chubby lit-
tle body and smaller bubbles around each of his Ryls and
Knooks.
As the kind and generous friend of children mounted into
the air the people all cheered at the top of their voices, for
they loved Santa Claus dearly; and the little man heard them
through the walls of the bubble and waved his hands in re-
turn as he smiled down upon them. The band played bravely
while every one watched the bubble until it was completely
out of sight.
"How 'bout you, Polly?" Dorothy asked her friend. "Are
you 'fraid of bubbles, too?"
"No," answered Polychrome, smiling; "but Santa Claus
promised to speak to my father as he passed through the sky.
So perhaps I shall get home an easier way."
Indeed, the little maid had scarcely made this speech
when a sudden radiance filled the air, and while the people
looked on in wonder the end of a gorgeous rainbow slowly
settled down upon the platform.
With a glad cry the Rainbow's Daughter sprang from
her seat and danced along the curve of the bow, mounting
gradually upward, while the folds of her gauzy gown whirled
and floated around her like a cloud and blended with the col-
ors of the rainbow itself.
"Good-bye, Ozmal Good-bye, Dorothy!" cried a voice
258
-GOOD-BYE, OZMAI GOOD-BYE, DOROTHY I'
*S9
The Road to Oz
they knew belonged to Polychrome ; but now the little maid-
en's form had melted wholly into the rainbow, and their eyes
could no longer see her.
Suddenly the end of the rainbow lifted and its colors
slowly faded like mist before a breeze. Dorothy sighed
deeply and turned to Ozma.
"I 'm sorry to lose Polly," she said; "but I guess she 's bet-
ter off with her father; 'cause even the Land of Oz could n't
be like home to a cloud fairy."
"No, indeed," replied the Princess; "but it has been de-
lightful for us to know Polychrome for a little while, and
i — who knows? — perhaps we may meet the Rainbow's
daughter again, some day."
The entertainment being now ended, all left the pavilion
and formed their gay procession back to the Emerald City
again. Of Dorothy's recent traveling companions only Toto
and the shaggy man remained, and Ozma had decided to al-
low the latter to live in Oz for a time, at least. If he proved
honest and true she promised to let him live there always, and
the shaggy man was anxious to earn this reward.
They had a nice quiet dinner together and passed a pleas-
ant evening with the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, Tik-tok,
and the Yellow Hen for company.
When Dorothy bade them good-night she kissed them all
good-bye at the same time. For Ozma had agreed that while
260
The Birthday Celebration
Dorothy slept she and Toto should be transported by means
of the Magic Belt to her own little bed in the Kansas farm-
house and the little girl laughed as she thought how aston-
ished Uncle Henry and Aunt Em would be when she came
down to breakfast with them next morning.
Quite content to have had so pleasant an adventure, and
a little tired by all the day's busy scences, Dorothy clasped
Toto in her arms and lay down upon the pretty white bed in
her room in Ozma's royal palace.
Presently she was sound asleep.
//
ROLAW
261
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY
Los Angeles
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